An audio apparatus for a vehicle made up of a carmounted audio apparatus 100 and portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b transmits/receives contents data such as music via radio communication. As a communication system for this in-car radio communication, a short-distance data communication system is...http://www.google.ca/patents/EP1146674A2?cl=en&utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent EP1146674A2 - System and method for reproducing audio data, method and apparatus for reproducing audio data to be used in a vehicle and computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program

System and method for reproducing audio data, method and apparatus for reproducing audio data to be used in a vehicle and computer readable storage medium for storing a computer programEP 1146674 A2

Abstract

An audio apparatus for a vehicle made up of a carmounted
audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b transmits/receives contents
data such as music via radio communication. As a
communication system for this in-car radio
communication, a short-distance data communication
system is used, which allows the apparatuses to
recognize and authenticate one another and perform data
communication with one another in the vehicle.
Received music data is reproduced/output in real time.

Images(25)

Claims(43)

An audio system that reproduces contents
information as sound in a vehicle, comprising:

a portable audio apparatus (200, 200a, 200b)
carried by a passenger of said vehicle; and

transmitting means (205) for transmitting said
contents information to said audio apparatus at least
by means of radio communication, and

said audio apparatus comprises:

receiving means (110) for receiving said contents
information from said portable audio apparatus at least
by means of radio communication; and

controlling means (101, 103) for reproducing said
contents information received by said receiving means
and outputting the reproduced information as sound from
a speaker (28) mounted in said vehicle.

The audio system according to claim 1,
characterized in that said audio apparatus further
comprises:

an operation switch (24, 106 to 109) that allows
the passenger of said vehicle to input an operation of
said audio system; and

operation signal transmitting means (110) for
transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the
operation of said operation switch to said portable
audio apparatus at least by means of radio
communication, and

said portable audio apparatus further comprises
controlling means (203) for controlling the own
operation according to said operation signal received
from said audio apparatus at least by means of radio
communication.

The audio system according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that at least any one of said audio
apparatus and said portable audio apparatus further
comprises selecting means capable of selecting a
communication execution state in which contents
information is transmitted between both apparatuses or
a non-communication execution state in which contents
information is not transmitted.

The audio system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least said audio apparatus
further comprises displaying means (24) for visibly
displaying the state of communication between said
audio apparatus and said portable audio apparatus.

The audio system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said audio apparatus identifies
said portable audio apparatus that exists in a
predetermined radio communication area of said audio
apparatus and further comprises system constructing
means (101, 110) for constructing a radio communication
system made up of the identified portable audio
apparatus and said audio apparatus, and
said audio apparatus acquires said contents
information from the portable audio apparatus
identified by said system constructing means.

The audio system according to claim 5,
characterized in that said audio apparatus further
comprises instructing means capable of, when a
plurality of contents information pieces is received
from a plurality of portable audio apparatuses
identified by said system constructing means,
instructing simultaneous reproduction of the plurality
of contents information pieces, and
said controlling means, when simultaneous
reproduction is instructed by said instructing means,
outputs at least any one contents information piece
from among the plurality of contents information pieces
whose simultaneous reproduction is instructed from said
speaker and at the same time remotely controls said
plurality of portable audio apparatuses so that the
other contents information pieces are reproduced by at
least any one of the plurality of portable audio
apparatuses identified by said system constructing
means.

The audio system according to claim 5 or 6,
characterized in that said receiving means can receive
contents information from the plurality of portable
audio apparatuses identified by said system
constructing means,
said audio apparatus further comprises setting
means capable of, when a plurality of contents
information pieces is received from the plurality of
portable audio apparatuses identified by said system
constructing means, setting priority of the plurality
of portable audio apparatuses in order to set the order
of reproducing those contents information pieces, and
said controlling means, when the priority is set
by said setting means, sequentially performs control
that contents information received from one portable
audio apparatus is output as sound from the speaker
mounted in said vehicle on said identified plurality of
portable audio apparatuses according to said priority.

The audio system according to claim 5, 6 or 7,
characterized in that said system constructing means,
for the purpose of identifying said portable audio
apparatuses detected in said vehicle, which is said
predetermined radio communication area, assigns
individual identification addresses and constructs said
radio communication system with all portable audio
apparatuses, which have been assigned identification
addresses, and said audio apparatus.

The audio system according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8,
characterized in that said system constructing means
transmits a first radio signal with directivity in said
vehicle and identifies said portable audio apparatus
that exists in said predetermined radio communication
area (L1 to L4, L11 to L14) based on a second radio
signal received from said portable audio apparatus
according to the transmission of the radio signal.

The audio system according to claim 9,
characterized in that said predetermined radio
communication area (L1 to L4) corresponds to a seat
position (2, 3, 4) placed in said vehicle.

The audio system according to claim 9 or claim 10,
characterized in that said predetermined radio
communication area (L11 to L14) corresponds to a
position (5a to 5d) of the mount of said portable audio
apparatus placed in said vehicle.

The audio system according to any one of claims 9
to 11, characterized in that said system constructing
means sends a first radio signal from a radio antenna
(34) installed almost in the center of said vehicle.

A contents reproduction method of an audio system
that reproduces contents information as sound in a
vehicle, characterized by comprising:

a system constructing step of constructing a
communication system constructed of a portable audio
apparatus (200, 200a, 200b) carried by a passenger of
said vehicle and an audio apparatus (100) mounted in
said vehicle that performs at least radio
communication;

a contents information transmitting step of
transmitting contents information pre-stored in said
portable audio apparatus to said audio apparatus at
least by means of radio communication; and

a sound reproducing step of receiving and
reproducing said contents information sent in said
contents information transmitting step by said audio
apparatus at least by means of radio communication and
outputting the reproduced information as sound from a
speaker (28) mounted in said vehicle.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 13, characterized by further comprising:

an operation inputting step allowing the passenger
of said vehicle to input an operation of said audio
system;

an operation signal transmitting step of
transmitting an operation signal according to the
operation input in said operation inputting step to
said portable audio apparatus at least by means of
radio communication; and

a reproducing step in which said portable audio
apparatus reproduces contents information retained in
the portable audio apparatus in response to said
operation signal received from said audio apparatus at
least by means of radio communication.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said radio
communication system is constructed in said system
constructing step only at the beginning of audio
control.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that said radio
communication system is constructed in said system
constructing step at a predetermined time interval.

The contents reproduction method according to any
one of claim 13, claim 15 and claim 16, characterized
in that in order to identify said portable audio
apparatus detected in said vehicle as a predetermined
radio communication area, said system constructing step
assigns individual identification addresses and
constructs said radio communication system with all
portable audio apparatuses with the identification
addresses assigned and said audio apparatus.

An audio apparatus for a vehicle (100) mounted in
a vehicle that reproduces contents information as sound
in said vehicle, characterized by comprising:

system constructing means (101, 110) for
constructing a radio communication system constructed
of a portable audio apparatus (200, 200a, 200b) carried
by a passenger of the vehicle and said audio apparatus;

receiving means (110) for receiving said contents
information from said portable audio apparatus at least
by means of radio communication; and

controlling means (101, 103) for reproducing said
contents information received by said receiving means
and outputting the reproduced information as sound from
a speaker (28) mounted in said vehicle.

The audio apparatus for a vehicle according to
claim 18, characterized in that said system
constructing means constructs, when a plurality of said
portable audio apparatuses is identified, a radio
communication system including the plurality of
portable audio apparatuses, and
said controlling means, between said plurality of
portable audio apparatuses, transfers contents
information retained in a first portable audio
apparatus to a second portable audio apparatus via
radio communication and controls so that the contents
information is reproduced as sound in said second
portable audio apparatus.

A contents reproduction method of an audio
apparatus for a vehicle (100) mounted in said vehicle
to reproduce contents information as sound in said
vehicle, characterized by comprising:

a system constructing step of constructing a radio
communication system constructed of a portable audio
apparatus (200, 200a, 200b) carried by a passenger of
said vehicle and said audio apparatus;

a receiving step of receiving said contents
information from said portable audio apparatus at least
by means of radio communication; and

a sound reproducing step of reproducing said
contents information received in said receiving step
and outputting the reproduced information as sound from
a speaker (28) mounted in said vehicle.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 20, characterized in that, when a plurality of
said portable audio apparatuses is identified in said
system constructing step, a radio communication system
including the plurality of portable audio apparatuses
is constructed, and
said sound reproducing step, between said
plurality of portable audio apparatuses, transfers
contents information retained in a first portable audio
apparatus to a second portable audio apparatus via
radio communication and controls so that the contents
information is reproduced as sound in said second
portable audio apparatus.

The audio system according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that the audio apparatus (100) mounted
in said vehicle constructs a radio subsystem in said
vehicle made up of audio controlling means (100A)
equipped with a first radio communication apparatus
(116) and a plurality of speaker units (2A to 2D)
equipped with a second radio communication apparatus
(222),
said first and second radio communication
apparatuses can carry out radio communications based on
a predetermined radio communication protocol, and
said plurality of speaker units receives a radio
signal sent from the first radio communication
apparatus of said audio controlling means by said
second radio communication apparatus and reproduces
contents information included in the received radio
signal according to characteristic information
individually set for each speaker unit.

The audio system according to claim 22,
characterized in that said audio controlling means can
perform a setting by which said plurality of speaker
units is divided into a plurality of groups made up of
at least one speaker unit and sends a radio signal
including contents information differing among the set
plurality of groups.

The audio system according to claim 22 or 23,
characterized in that said plurality of speaker units
is provided in accordance with seats in the vehicle,
and
said audio controlling means sends to a speaker
unit corresponding to a specific seat, a radio signal
including contents information different from the
contents information for the other speaker units.

The audio system according to claim 22, 23 or 24
characterized in that said audio controlling means
sends a first radio signal including the same contents
information to said plurality of speaker units and
sends a second radio signal including said
characteristic information to each speaker unit
individually, and
said plurality of speaker units applies sound
field processing based on individual characteristic
information included in said second radio signal to the
contents information included in said first radio
signal and then outputs the contents information as
sound.

The audio system according to claim 25,
characterized in that said characteristic information
includes information on the locations of all said
plurality of speaker units and sound field processing
at those locations, and
said plurality of speaker units performs sound
field processing taking into account the other units
based on said characteristic information prior to
outputting sound from the own unit.

The audio system according to any one of claims 22
to 25, characterized in that said plurality of speaker
units is provided in accordance with the seats in said
vehicle, and
said audio controlling means controls a speaker
unit from among said plurality of speaker units that
corresponds to a specific seat so as to be able to
reproduce sound with sound volume, sound quality or
sound field different from the other speaker units.

The audio system according to claim 27,
characterized in that a seat in said vehicle is
provided with detecting means for detecting whether any
child seat is attached, and
said audio controlling means designates a seat
where said detecting means has detected the presence of
a child seat as said specific seat and controls the
speaker unit corresponding to the seat so as to be able
to reproduce sound with sound volume, sound quality or
sound field different from the other speaker units.

The audio system according to one of the claims 22 to 28
characterized in that said audio controlling means is a
portable terminal (3).

The audio system according to one of the claims 22 to 29
characterized in that when said radio signal is sent,
said audio controlling means sends contents information
to be sent through the radio signal, by dividing the
contents information by a predetermined unit amount of
information to said plurality of speaker units.

The audio system according to claim 30,
characterized in that said plurality of speaker units
comprises synchronization means for, when the contents
information divided into said predetermined unit
amounts of information received through said radio
signal is reproduced, mutually synchronizing the output
timing among the speaker units.

The audio system according to one of claims 22 to 31
characterized in that when a plurality of types of
radio signals sent from different sources is received,
said plurality of speaker units reproduces contents
information included in any one of the radio signals
based on preset priority.

A portable audio apparatus (3) in the audio system
according to claim 22 that comprises a third radio
communication apparatus (135) that receives a radio
signal sent from the first radio communication
apparatus of said audio controlling means and can
reproduce sound at least through a headphone based on
the radio signal received by the radio communication
apparatus.

The contents reproduction method according to one of claims
13 to 17, characterized in that said system
constructing step includes, as an audio apparatus (100)
mounted in said vehicle, a subsystem constructing step
of constructing a radio subsystem made up of an audio
control unit (100A) and a plurality of speaker units
(2A to 2D) each equipped with a radio communication
apparatus that can carry out radio communication based
on a predetermined radio communication protocol, and
said audio reproducing step includes:

a first step of sending a radio signal including
contents information from said audio control unit; and

a second step of receiving said radio signal from
said plurality of speaker units and reproducing the
contents information included in the received radio
signal as sound according to the characteristic
information individually set for each speaker unit.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 34, characterized in that said first step divides
said plurality of speaker units into a plurality of
groups made up of at least one speaker unit and sends a
radio signal including contents information differing
among those groups from said audio control unit.

The contents reproduction method according to
claim 34 or 35, characterized in that in said first step,
said audio control unit sends a first radio signal
including the same contents information to said
plurality of speaker units and sends a second radio
signal including said characteristic information to the
speaker units, and
in said second step, said plurality of speaker
units applies sound field processing based on the
individual characteristic information included in said
second radio signal to the contents information
included in said first radio signal individually and
then outputs the contents information as sound.

The contents reproduction method according to any
one of claims 34 to 36, characterized in that said
plurality of speaker units is preset in accordance with
the seats in the vehicle, and
said sound reproducing step controls a speaker
unit from among said plurality of speaker units that
corresponds to a specific seat by said audio control
unit so as to be able to reproduce sound with sound
volume, sound quality or sound field different from the
other speaker units.

The contents reproduction method according to one of claims
34 to 37, characterized in that when said radio signal
is sent from said audio control unit in said first step,
the contents information to be sent through the radio
signal is divided by a predetermined unit amount of
information and sent to said plurality of speaker units.

The contents reproduction method according to one of claims
34 to 38, characterized in that when said plurality of
speaker units receives a plurality of types of radio
signals sent from different sources in said second step,
contents information included in any one of the radio
signals is reproduced based on preset priority.

A computer program product that provides
instructions that implement the operation of the audio
apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 18 or claim
19.

A computer program product that provides
instructions that implement the contents reproduction
method according to claim 20 or claim 21 with an audio
apparatus for a vehicle.

A computer-readable storage medium that stores a
program code that implements the operation of the audio
apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 18 or claim
19.

A computer-readable storage medium that stores a
program code that implements the contents reproduction
method according to claim 20 or claim 21 with an audio
apparatus for a vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to the field of an
audio apparatus that provides contents such as music in
a vehicle such as an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

In the field of an automobile, a typical example
of vehicle, an audio apparatus has come into widespread
use in recent years allowing passengers to enjoy
various contents such as music in a vehicle.

[0003]

In such a conventional audio apparatus, a
passenger inserts a portable music storage medium such
as a CD (compact disk), MD (mini-disk), cassette tape
into the audio apparatus and enjoys music of his/her
choice by replaying/outputting it from data stored in
the music storage medium.

[0004]

However, an audio apparatus using such a music
storage medium is burdensome because the passenger
needs to take the storage medium storing music to be
replayed in the vehicle into the vehicle every time the
passenger gets on the vehicle.

[0005]

Thus, the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-30986,
etc. proposes a technology for directly receiving
digitized music data from the outside through an audio
apparatus using a music distribution service and
enjoying the music data in the vehicle without using a
music recording medium.

[0006]

Here, the technology described in the Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 11-30986 will be summarized below.

[0007]

The vehicle music data acquisition system
described in this Publication consists of an
information center that distributes music to vehicles
and a vehicle capable of wirelessly communicating with
the information center (see FIG. 2 of the relevant
Publication) and the music distribution procedure in
such a system configuration is explained with reference
to FIG. 2 of the relevant Publication.

[0008]

That is, the vehicle sends data about a music
replaying condition in the own vehicle (including
information to identify music of a distribution
request) to the information center.

[0009]

Upon reception of the data about the music
replaying condition, the information center determines
whether the requested music data exists in the
information center or not and if the music data does
not exist, the information center acquires the data on
the Internet from the outside. Then, the information
center creates music data with the amount of data
reduced (compressed) based on the data about the music
replaying condition and sends the music data created to
the vehicle. The vehicle replays the music based on the
received music data.

[0010]

According to the audio apparatus using this music
distribution service, the passenger can enjoy any music
at any time without the need to prepare any music
storage medium. This allows the passenger to easily
enjoy music of his/her choice in the vehicle, providing
an effect of allowing the passenger to spend his/her
time comfortably in the vehicle.

[0011]

Furthermore, the technology described in the
Japanese Patent Laid--Open No. 10-240207 will be
summarized below.

[0012]

This Publication describes a touch-screen type
audio-visual replay digital system and a plurality of
windows appearing on a display shows information on
audio-visual contents that can be replayed.

[0013]

The user can select a desired window from among a
plurality of windows displayed to easily replay the
audio-visual contents requested to be replayed.

[0014]

On the other hand, recently, with the development
of the Internet, music distribution services indirectly
using the Internet are provided as described below,
which allows the user to download digitized contents
data such as music to an information storage medium
such as a memory card and enjoy music of his/her choice
easily.

[0015]

Furthermore, recently, individuals often carry
with them portable audio apparatuses and these portable
audio apparatuses are also making it easier to enjoy
music using music data stored in an information storage
medium.

[0016]

By the way, people go for a long-distance drive
on a trip, etc., a plurality of passengers often gets
on the vehicle, in which case, because preference of
music varies from one person to another, it is
preferred that these passengers be able to enjoy music
of their respective choices and spend their time during
the long-distance drive comfortably.

[0017]

In a vehicle equipped with an audio apparatus
using a conventional music storage medium, satisfying
such as demand requires each passenger to record music
of his/her choice to a music storage medium
corresponding to the audio apparatus or purchase one
and take the music storage medium into the vehicle.

[0018]

As in the case of the Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 11-30986, the audio apparatus using the music
distribution service provided from the information
center can freely obtain a variety of music data at any
time by a required amount. This allows the passengers
to freely enjoy music of their choice without the need
to take the music storage medium into the vehicle.

[0019]

The audio apparatus using the music distribution
service provides such convenience, but on the other
hand, because this audio apparatus receives music data
from the outside by radio (wireless telephone line,
etc.), it takes some time of communication to download
music data of one piece of music for example. Therefore,
if, for example, electromagnetic interference occurs
while the music data is being downloaded during a drive,
the audio apparatus is unable to reliably receive the
music data of the relevant piece of music.

[0020]

And in the case where the music data cannot be
received reliably, it is necessary to receive the music
data again. Thus, even the audio apparatus using the
music distribution service is still not sufficient in
respect of user friendliness.

[0021]

Moreover, downloading music data from the music
distribution service in the current communication
environment entails a high communication cost, and so
it is problematic in respect of cost, too.

[0022]

Therefore, one possible method of enjoying music
of one's choice reliably and at low cost without using
such a music distribution service is to use music data
included in a portable audio apparatus. This is
because the portable audio apparatus that each
passenger carries includes music data of his/her choice
beforehand and using this music data allows the
passenger to reliably enjoy music data of his/her
choice in the vehicle.

[0023]

However, the shape and mode of a portable audio
apparatus varies from one model to another, and the
wired connection port and the shape of its information
storage medium also vary. For this reason, using this
portable audio apparatus in the vehicle requires the
passenger to set the audio apparatus in a mount preinstalled
in the vehicle, connect it to an in-car audio
apparatus via a cable or insert or remove the
information storage medium to take the music data of
portable audio apparatuses of all models into the in-car
audio apparatus, which is difficult in practice.

[0024]

Moreover, even if wired connection ports of
portable audio apparatuses of all models and
information storage media are standardized having a
common shape and mode, there remains a possibility that
the passenger will still need to set the audio
apparatus in the mount and insert or remove the
information storage media, which is a problem of
requiring time and trouble.

[0025]

Moreover, the conventional audio system above
generally comprises a main unit that controls
reproduction of musical pieces (contents) connected to
a plurality of speakers via cables. Therefore, when an
audio system is also mounted when the vehicle is
purchased or when a desired audio system is mounted
later, it is troublesome to lay cables for the audio
system in a limited space of the vehicle.

[0026]

Furthermore, also in the car cabin design stage,
the degree of freedom in design may be reduced because
it is necessary to consider locations of cables for the
audio system and operability for cabling, etc.

[0027]

Furthermore, in a conventional audio system, once
a determined system configuration has been incorporated
in the vehicle, subsequent changes to the system
configuration are not easy. Thus, when the user wants
to replay a CD (compact disk) in the main unit that is
provided with only functions of a radio tuner and
cassette tape recorder, a widespread method for meeting
such a demand is to carry into the vehicle a portable
CD player, a transmitter that FM-modulates an output
signal and allows a radio tuner on the audio system
side to receive the output signal or an adapter that
reads the output signal of the CD player through the
head of the cassette tape recorder and thereby
indirectly reproduces the output signal of the CD
player through the audio system.

[0028]

However, the above indirect reproduction method
requires that a portable CD player and FM transmitter,
etc. be carried into the vehicle and their locations be
secured in a narrow car cabin, and restricts the
original seating space for passengers, provides not
good looking and also has a problem with the quality of
musical pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0029]

The present invention has been proposed to solve
the conventional problems, and has as its main object
to provide, even when a plurality of passengers gets on
an automobile, for example, an audio system and its
contents reproduction method, audio apparatus for a
vehicle and its contents reproduction method, portable
audio apparatus, computer program product and computer-readable
storage medium capable of easily and reliably
reproducing contents data in a portable audio apparatus
carried by passengers inside the vehicle and outputting
the contents data as sound so that passengers can enjoy
music of their respective choices in the vehicle
without the need to download contents data such as
music and conversation from the Internet.

[0030]

To solve the above problems, the present invention
is constituted as follows.

[0031]

That is, the present invention provides an audio
system that reproduces contents information as sound in
a vehicle, composed of portable audio apparatuses (200,
200a, 200b) carried by passengers of the vehicle and an
audio apparatus (100) mounted in the vehicle,
characterized in that the portable audio apparatuses
include contents information retaining means (204) for
retaining contents information and transmitting means
(205) for transmitting the contents information to the
audio apparatus at least by means of radio
communication, and the audio apparatus includes
receiving means (110) for receiving the contents
information from the portable audio apparatuses at
least by means of radio communication, and controlling
means (101, 103) for reproducing the contents
information received by the receiving means and at the
same time outputting the reproduced information as
sound from speakers(28) mounted in the vehicle.

[0032]

In a preferred embodiment, it is preferred that
the audio apparatus be provided with operation switches
(24, 106-109) that allow entries by the passengers of
the vehicle, operation signal transmitting means (110)
for transmitting operation signals according to the
operations of the operation switches to the portable
audio apparatuses at least by means of radio
communication, and the portable audio apparatuses be
further provided with controlling means (203) for
performing own operation control according to the
operation signals received from the audio apparatus at
least by means of radio communication.

[0033]

Furthermore, for example, the audio apparatus
(100) mounted in the vehicle constructs a radio
subsystem made up of audio controlling means (100A)
equipped with a first radio communication apparatus
(116) and speaker units (2A to 2D) equipped with a
second radio communication apparatus (222), and the
first and second radio communication apparatuses can
perform radio communications based on a predetermined
radio communication protocol, and it is preferred that
the plurality of speaker units receive radio signals
transmitted from the first radio communication
apparatus of the audio controlling means by the second
radio communication apparatus and reproduce the
contents information contained in the received radio
signals according to characteristic information
individually set in each speaker unit.

[0034]

To attain the same object, the present invention
provides a contents reproduction method for an audio
system that reproduces contents information as sound in
the vehicle, comprising a system constructing step of
constructing a communication system that carries out at
least a radio communication, composed of portable audio
apparatuses (200, 200a, 200b) carried by passengers of
the vehicle and an audio apparatus (100) mounted in the
vehicle, a contents information sending step of sending
contents information retained beforehand in the
portable audio apparatuses to the audio apparatus at
least by means of radio communication, and a sound
reproducing step of receiving and reproducing the
contents information sent in the contents information
sending step at least by means of radio communication
and outputting the reproduced information as sound from
speakers (28) mounted in the vehicle.

[0035]

Furthermore, for example, the system constructing
step includes a subsystem constructing step of
constructing a radio subsystem made up of an audio
control unit (100A) equipped with a radio communication
apparatus that can perform radio communication based on
a predetermined radio communication protocol and a
plurality of speaker units (2A to 2D), and it is
preferred that the audio reproducing step includes a
first step of sending a radio signal containing
contents information from the audio control unit and
the plurality of speaker units include a second step of
receiving the radio signals and reproducing the
contents information included in the received radio
signal as sound according to characteristic information
individually set in each speaker unit.

[0036]

To attain the same object, the present invention
provides an audio apparatus for a vehicle (100) mounted
in a vehicle to reproduce contents information as sound
in the vehicle, comprising system constructing means
(101, 110) for constructing a radio communication
system composed of portable audio apparatuses (200,
200a, 200b) carried by passengers of the vehicle and
the audio apparatus, receiving means (110) for
receiving the contents information from the portable
audio apparatuses at least by means of radio
communication and controlling means (101, 103) for
reproducing the contents information received by the
receiving means and outputting the reproduced
information as sound from speakers (28) mounted in the
vehicle.

[0037]

In a preferred embodiment, it is preferred that
the system constructing means, when the plurality of
portable audio apparatuses is identified, construct a
radio communication system including the plurality of
portable audio apparatuses and the controlling means
control so that between the plurality of portable audio
apparatuses, the contents information retained
beforehand by the first portable audio apparatus is
transferred to the second portable audio apparatus by
radio communication and the contents information is
reproduced as sound by the second portable audio
apparatus.

[0038]

Another method to attain the same object is a
contents reproduction method for an audio apparatus for
a vehicle (100) mounted in a vehicle that reproduces
contents information as sound in the vehicle,
comprising a system constructing step of constructing a
radio communication system composed of portable audio
apparatuses (200, 200a, 200b) carried by passengers of
the vehicle and the audio apparatus, a receiving step
of receiving the contents information from the portable
audio apparatuses at least by means of radio
communication and a sound reproducing step of
reproducing the contents information received in the
receiving step and outputting the reproduced
information as sound from speakers (28) mounted in the
vehicle.

[0039]

The same object above can also be attained by an
audio apparatus mounted in a vehicle (audio apparatus
for a vehicle), program codes that instruct so that the
operation of the audio apparatus is implement and a
computer-readable storage medium that stores these
program codes, which make up the audio system in the
above configuration.

[0040]

The same object above can also be attained by a
contents reproduction method of the audio apparatus
(audio apparatus for a vehicle) corresponding to the
contents reproduction method of the audio system in the
configuration above, program codes that instruct so
that the contents reproduction method is implemented in
the audio apparatus for a vehicle and a computer-readable
storage medium that stores these program codes.

[0041]

Other features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042]

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated
in and constitute a part of the specification,
illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together
with the description, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an outlined plan view of au automobile
using an audio apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a system block diagram of an audio
apparatus control system and radio communication system
according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;

Fig. 3 is a front view of an operation panel of an
audio apparatus 100 in the first embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of operation control of the
audio apparatus 100 in the first embodiment;

Fig. 5 is an "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a "reception MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 7 is an "AUDIO MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a flow chart of operation control of a
portable audio apparatus 200 in the first embodiment;

Fig. 9 is an "erasure MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 10 is an "Internet MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 11 is a "Transfer MENU" screen shown on a
display in the first embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a display screen in a first
modification of the first embodiment;

Fig. 13 is an outlined plan view of an automobile
using radio communication signals directed to seat
positions in a second modification of the first
embodiment;

Fig. 14 is an outlined plan view of an automobile
using radio communication signals directed to mount
positions in a third modification of the first
embodiment;

Fig. 15 illustrates a configuration example with
an audio apparatus according to a second embodiment
mounted in the car cabin;

Fig. 16 illustrates a block configuration of
components making up the audio apparatus according to
the second embodiment and flows of radio signals
between the components;

Fig. 17 is a flow chart of musical piece
reproduction processing in an audio unit 100A in the
second embodiment;

Fig. 18 is a flow chart of musical piece
reproduction processing in speaker units 2A to 2D in
the second embodiment;

Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B are flow charts of musical
piece reproduction processing in a portable audio
terminal 3 in the second embodiment;

Fig. 20 is a flow chart of musical piece
reproduction processing in an audio unit 100A in a
third embodiment;

Fig. 21 is a flow chart of musical piece
reproduction processing in speaker units 2A to 2D in
the third embodiment;

Fig. 22A and Fig. 22B are flow charts of musical
piece reproduction processing in a portable audio
terminal 3 in the third embodiment; and

Fig. 23 illustrates a display example of a display
113 of the audio unit 100A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention
will now be described in detail in accordance with the
accompanying drawings.

[First embodiment]

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention applied to
an automobile, a typical example of vehicle, will now
be described in detail in accordance with the
accompanying drawings.

[0045]

FIG. 1 is an outlined plan view of au automobile
using an audio apparatus (audio system) of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile audio
apparatus of this embodiment is generally constituted
by a car-mounted audio apparatus 100 (hereinafter
referred to as "audio apparatus 100") mounted in a
vehicle 1 and portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
carried into the vehicle by passengers.

[0046]

In the following explanations, the portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b will sometimes be
collectively called a "portable audio apparatus 200".

[0047]

The audio apparatus 100 is constructed of not
only an audio function but also a navigation function
and Internet communication function, etc. so as to
perform a variety of information processing.

[0048]

A concentrated control unit 20 for controlling
the entire system of the audio apparatus of this
embodiment is installed close to an instrument panel in
the center of the vehicle 1. This concentrated control
unit 20 is connected with various apparatuses mounted
in the vehicle 1 in order to perform the functions,
which will be described below.

(Navigation function)

[0049]

The navigation function is intended to realize
navigation functions such as route guidance to a preset
desired destination and is constructed by a GPS (Global
Positioning System) antenna 21 to detect the current
position of the own vehicle installed in the vehicle 1,
a navigation controller 22 to perform navigation
control, a DVD-ROM changer 23 to read road map
information, etc. stored in DVD-ROM, a display 24 that
displays navigation information and allows input
operations by passengers and a voice guide speaker 25
that outputs navigation information in voice, and these
apparatuses are each connected to the concentrated
control unit 20.

[0050]

The navigation function in this embodiment is
provided with functions similar to those of a
conventional navigation apparatus such as detecting the
current position of the own vehicle, giving the
passengers road information and traffic information and
providing a route guide for the automobile.

(Internet communication function)

[0051]

The Internet communication function is
constructed by a telephone antenna 26 connected to the
Internet over a radio telephone network, a cellular
telephone 27 to transmit/receive Internet information,
the display 24 that allows input operations by the
passenger, car-mounted speakers 28 that output the
information received on the Internet as voice
information (hereinafter referred to as "speakers 28"),
etc. and these apparatuses are also each connected to
the concentrated control unit 20.

[0052]

This embodiment transmits/receives Internet
information using the cellular telephone 27, but it is
also possible to provide a dedicated Internet
transmission/reception section for the main unit of the
audio apparatus 100 aside from the cellular telephone
27.

[0053]

The Internet communication function of this
embodiment is provided with functions such as receiving
various kinds of information requested by the
passengers by the audio apparatus 100 over the Internet
and transmitting information from the vehicle to the
outside by e-mail, etc.

(Audio function)

[0054]

The audio function is constructed by an audio
control unit 30 that controls the entire system of the
relevant audio function, a CD drive 31 that reads CD
music data, an MD drive 32 that reads MD music data, a
memory drive 33 that reads music data of a memory card,
speakers 28 that output music as sound in the vehicle,
a car-mounted radio antenna 34 placed in the center of
the vehicle to carry out radio communication with a
plurality of cellular audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
in the vehicle and a radio transmitter/receiver 35 that
transmits/receives music data to/from the portable
audio apparatuses 200a and 200b, and these apparatuses
are each connected to the concentrated control unit 20.

[0055]

As in the case of a conventional audio apparatus,
this audio function is provided with functions such as
reading contents data such as music, converted to
digital data, stored in a CD, MD or memory card
(hereinafter referred to as "music data"), generating
reproduction signals according to the read music data
and outputting the music data from the speakers 28 as
music (hereinafter referred to as "reproduced output"),
and also provided with a function of receiving AM/FM
waves by an AM/FM tuner (not shown) and outputting
AM/FM broadcasting signals from the speakers 28.

[0056]

This audio function is also provided with a
function of receiving digital music data using a music
distribution service of the Internet and reproducing
and outputting as music from the speakers 28.

[0057]

The audio function of the audio apparatus 100 is
further capable of communicating with a plurality of
the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b carried
into the vehicle through in-car radio communications
based on a predetermined communication system and
provided with a function of receiving music data
retained in the portable audio apparatuses 200a and
200b and reproducing and outputting as music from the
speakers 28 in the vehicle.

[0058]

Note, that the concentrated control unit 20 to
which these apparatuses are connected is connected to a
car-mounted LAN (local area network) unit 40 as shown
in FIG. 1 and is constructed so as to perform
information communication with other vehicle control
apparatuses.

[0059]

Next, the control system and radio communication
system of the audio apparatus according to this
embodiment will be explained with reference to the
system block diagram in FIG. 2.

[0060]

In FIG. 2, a system block of the audio apparatus
100 is shown on the Left side and a system block of the
portable audio apparatus 200a is shown on the right
side. FIG. 2 shows details of only the system block of
one portable audio apparatus for convenience, but the
system of the other portable audio apparatus is also
constructed in the same way.

[0061]

The audio apparatus 100 is provided with a CPU
101 and this CPU 101 controls the system of the audio
apparatus 100. A music source 102 is connected to the
CPU 101. The music source 102 is constructed of an
information storage unit (e.g., storage medium such as
semiconductor memory) that stores music data received
from the outside and retains music data of the audio
apparatus 100.

[0062]

Furthermore, an amplifier 103 is connected to the
CPU 101 and the amplifier 103 amplifies and converts
music information signals which are music data stored
in a storage medium reproduced and generated by the CD
drive 32, etc. and reproduces and outputs as music from
the speakers 28.

[0063]

Furthermore, the display 24 is connected to the
CPU 101 of the audio apparatus 100 and the display 24
displays the control content of the audio apparatus 100
and music source music title data, etc. Furthermore, a
car external music source reception circuit 104 is
connected to the CPU 101 and the car external music
source reception circuit 104 receives information from
the Internet and AM or FM waves through a car-external
antenna 105 (telephone antenna 26, etc.).

[0064]

Furthermore, audio operation switches 107 such as
a volume, a select switch, a replay button, a stop
button, a fast-forward button, a rewind button and a
selecting/determining switch 108 to select a cross
cursor button or select button and an output changeover
button 109 are connected to the CPU 101 via an
operation system interface 106.

[0065]

Furthermore, a transmission/reception module 110
is connected to the CPU 101 and the
transmission/reception module 110 carries out in-car
radio communication with the portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b carried into the vehicle via an in-car
radio antenna 34.

[0066]

The portable audio apparatus 200a is constructed
of an apparatus main unit 201a and a headphone 202b.

[0067]

This apparatus main unit 201a is provided with a
CPU 203 that controls the system of the portable audio
apparatus 200a, and a music source 204, a
transmission/reception module 205, a display 206,
operation switches 208 such as a volume, a select
switch, a replay button, a stop button, a fast-forward
button and a rewind button, etc. and internal/external
changeover switch 209 are further connected to this CPU
203 via an operation system interface 207.

[0068]

The headphone 202a of the portable audio
apparatus 201a is also provided with a
transmission/reception module 210 for radio
communications, which receives music data sent from the
apparatus main unit 200a of the portable audio
apparatus through radio communication to allow the
passengers to enjoy music individually.

[0069]

Note, that the number of portable audio
apparatuses in this embodiment is only set to 2, but it
is also possible to additionally set the number
according to the number of passengers as shown with
virtual lines in FIG. 2.

[0070]

Moreover, it is also possible to construct the
apparatus main unit 201a and headphone 202a as a single
apparatus.

[0071]

These audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b transmit/receive music data,
etc. to/from each other through in-car radio
communication.

[0072]

As an in-car radio communication system, this
embodiment adopts a short-distance data communication
system that slows the apparatuses to recognize and
authenticate one another in the vehicle and perform
data communication among one another. More
specifically, as an example of a short-distance data
communication system used within a short-distance of
several tens of m, this embodiment carries out a so-called
Bluetooth-based radio communication.

[0073]

The short-distance communication system includes
radio wave communication using a spread spectrum
technology, optical communication and infrared
communication, etc. This embodiment adopts a radio
wave communication with less directivity. However, if
it is possible to construct a network in which the
music apparatus 100 functions as a master and the
portable music apparatuses function as slaves during a
communication, other communication systems can also be
adopted.

[0074]

Furthermore, music data transmitted/received is
preferred to be compatible to all kinds of model and
transmitted/received in a short time, and therefore
this music data is preferred to be transmitted/received,
after being compressed as a data file based on a
predetermined system and converted to compressed data.

[0075]

Data compression systems available to this
embodiment include MP3, Solid Audio, Liquid Audio, etc.
Therefore, the audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
apparatuses 200 are provided with general software or
hardware capable of compressing to music data based on
such a data compression system or decoding to a decoded
signal at the time of reproduction.

[0076]

Connecting the audio apparatus 100 and portable
audio apparatus 200 through in-car radio communication
and constructing a communication network (hereinafter
referred to as "network") will allow each apparatus to
transmit/receive music data and allow the audio
apparatus 100 to control the portable audio apparatuses
200, etc.

[0077]

FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel 50
of the audio apparatus 100 installed in the center of
the instrument panel. The upper section is an
operation panel 51 of the audio apparatus and the lower
section is an air-conditioning-related operation panel
52. Here, the audio-apparatus-related operation panel
51 will be explained..

[0078]

First, selection switches 53 for selecting a
music source such as AM/FM and CD, etc. are provided in
the upper section of the operation panel 50 and the
music source output from the speakers 28 is determined
according to the selection of these selection switches
53.

[0079]

Below the selection switches 53 is a liquid
crystal display panel 54. The liquid crystal display
54 displays a set temperature and in-car temperature or
music information of the audio apparatus 100, etc.

[0080]

Below the liquid crystal display 54 are slot
openings 55, 56 and 57. Inserting various storage
media such as a CD, MD or memory card into these slot
openings 55, 56 and 57 allows the audio apparatus 100
to incorporate music data of music sources.

[0081]

To the left of the slot openings 55 and 56 are
screen changeover switches 58 to switch the display
screen of the liquid crystal display 54. At the top is
a navigation switch 58a to switch the display screen to
a navigation screen, in the center is an audio switch
58b to switch the display screen to an audio screen and
at the bottom is an audio top switch 58c to switch the
display screen to an audio top menu screen of in-car
radio communication.

[0082]

The display 24 of the audio apparatus 100 is set
on an instrument panel (not shown) close to a driver
seat easily recognizable by the passengers and
constructed to display an audio screen such as various
kinds of information of the audio apparatus. Note,
that the above-described liquid crystal display panel
54 can also be used as the display 24 of the audio
apparatus 100.

[0083]

To the right of the slot openings is a cross
cursor/determination button 108 to move the cursor on a
display screen and determine a predetermined item.

[0084]

Below the slot openings are audio operation
switches 107 whereby the passengers can input audio
operation signals such as replay, stop or volume.
These audio operation switches 107 are a power volume
switch, skip switch, etc. from the left. At the right
end are output changeover switches 109 that allow the
passenger to switch the output destination of the audio
operation signal which is output by the passenger
manipulating the audio operation switches 107 between
the audio apparatus 100 and portable audio apparatuses
200.

[0085]

Then, the action and method of operation of the
audio apparatus according to this embodiment will be
explained using FIG. 4 to FIG. 11.

[0086]

First, the action of the audio apparatus 100 will
be explained using the flow chart of operation control
of the audio apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4. This flow
chart indicates the procedure of a software program
executed by the CPU 101 and the control processing by
the CPU 101 is started by an ignition ON of the vehicle
1, for example.

[0087]

Initially, it is judged whether a power switch of
the audio apparatus 100 (not shown) is ON or not (S10)
and when the judgment result is NO, the process goes to
Return and when the judgment result is YES, it is
judged whether an external music source (each of the
portable audio apparatuses 200) is replayed or not
(S11).

[0088]

If the result of the judgment (S11) as to whether
the external music sources 200a and 200b are replayed
or not is NO, music data of the music source 102 (CD,
MD, memory card, etc.) of the audio apparatus 100 is
directly reproduced and output from the speakers 28 as
in the case of a normal audio apparatus (S12). On the
other hand, if the judgment result is YES, the
existence of any external music source (apparatus main
units 201a and 201b of the portable audio apparatuses)
and external speakers (headphones 202a and 202b of the
portable audio apparatuses) carried into the vehicle is
searched, and the external music source whose existence
has been confirmed is connected to the audio apparatus
100 through an in-car radio communication (S13).

[0089]

The search connection operation in S13 is started
by the passenger operating the audio top switch 58c on
the operation panel 51 of the audio apparatus 100.
More specifically, the passenger makes an "AUDIO TOP
MENU" shown in FIG. 5 appear on the display screen and
selects and determines "External music source/external
speaker search and reception" D1 with a cross
cursor/determination button 108.

[0090]

In this case, if the passenger selects/determines
"External music source/external speaker search and
reception" D1, the display screen is switched to the
"Reception MENU" screen shown in FIG. 6 and a search
radio wave is emitted from the in-car radio antenna 34
of the audio apparatus 100. This allows the audio
apparatus 100 to connect the apparatuses 201a and 201b
of the portable audio apparatuses in the vehicle to the
headphones 202a and 202b for a search.

[0091]

At this time, installed in the center of the
vehicle, the in-car radio antenna 34 can emit the
search radio wave uniformly in the vehicle and detect
the portable audio apparatuses 200 in the vehicle
uniformly. Furthermore, even if portable audio
apparatuses 200 owned by persons other than the
passengers happen to exist outside near the vehicle,
this reduces the probability of an erroneous search.

[0092]

When the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
are detected and connected within a predetermined
search time, the audio apparatus 100 and the plurality
of portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b send an
identification address to each other and form a network
through an in-car radio communication. Once the
network is constructed, the "Reception MENU" screen
looks as shown in FIG. 6.

[0093]

For example, when the audio apparatus 100 finds
and recognizes two portable audio apparatuses 200a and
200b in the vehicle, these apparatuses construct a
communication system with the audio apparatus 100 as a
master and the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
as slaves and recognize one portable audio apparatus
200a as an external player A and the other portable
audio apparatus 200b as an external player B. Then,
the "Reception MENU" screen shows the connection states
in simplified expressions indicating the audio
apparatus 100 as M and the portable audio apparatuses
as PA and PB (D21). Note, that the "Reception MENU"
screen also shows a list of music title data, etc.
associated (correspondence established) with music data
(contents data) of each apparatus connected (D22).

[0094]

When the apparatuses have constructed the network
by means of in-car radio communication, the passenger
operates the cross cursor/determination button 108 to
select/determine "Confirm" D23 on the "Reception MENU"
screen and terminates the search connection operation.

[0095]

However, if it is judged that the
search/connection is insufficient, the passenger
operates the cross cursor/determination button 108 to
select/determine "Search" D24 to continue the
search/connection. This ensures that the apparatuses
are connected to construct the network.

[0096]

Note, if the number of the portable audio
apparatuses 200 in the vehicle changes, it is necessary
to perform search/connection every time, but if the
passenger selects/determines "Update" D25 on the
"Reception MENU" screen, it is possible to set the
audio apparatus 100 so as to automatically repeat
search/connection at predetermined intervals.

[0097]

After external music sources (apparatus main
units of the portable audio apparatuses), external
speakers (headphones) have been searched/connected
(S13), a music source and output port are determined on
the "AUDIO MENU" screen (S14).

[0098]

The music source/output port determination
operation in S14 is carried out by the passenger
operating the cross cursor/determination button 108 on
the "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen to select/determine
"Determine music replay/output destination" D1 and
making the display screen show the "AUDIO MENU" screen
shown in FIG. 7.

[0099]

Here, the music source/output port determination
operation in S14 will be explained more specifically.
For example, if the passenger wants to replay the
second music of the portable audio apparatus 200a
identified as the external player A from the speakers
28, the passenger selects/determines "External player
A" D11a in the "Source" selection area D11 on the
"AUDIO MENU" screen. Then, a music data list D12 of
the portable audio apparatus 200a of the external
player A is displayed on the left. This music data
list D12 shows music titles, artist names and data
volumes, etc. and shows the content of the music data
retained in the portable audio apparatus 200a.

[0100]

The passenger operates the cross
cursor/determination button 108 in this music data list
D12 displayed to select/determine the "Second music"
D12a. Then, the passenger selects/determines "Car-mounted
SP" D13a in the "Output destination" selection
area D13 (selection/determination content in FIG. 7).

[0101]

When the passenger who carries the portable audio
apparatus 200a of the external player A personally
wants to replay all music pieces of the music data of
the portable audio apparatus 200b of the external
player B carried by another passenger through the own
headphone, the passenger selects/determines "External
player B" D11b in the "Source" selection area D11 on
the "AUDIO MENU" screen and makes the music data list
(not shown) of the portable audio apparatus 200b of the
external player B appear and selects/determines the
"External player B" D11b in the "Source" selection area
D11 again. Thus, the passenger selects all music
pieces of the portable audio apparatus 200b of the
external player B and then selects/determines the
"External player A" D13b in the "Output destination"
selection area D13.

[0102]

Thus, the passenger further performs operation of
determining a music source, output port according to
the request of a passenger and terminates the music
source/output port determination operation.

[0103]

The music source/output port determination
operation according to the request of each passenger is
performed in this way.

[0104]

Note, when the passenger performs no music source
determination operation in the above music
source/output port determination operation, all music
data pieces of the portable audio apparatuses are
selected one after another starting from the external
player A and all music data pieces of the portable
audio apparatuses are reproduced/output from the
speakers 28 or those portable audio apparatuses one
after another. Thus, if the passenger does not want to
listen to any particular music but simply wants to
listen to music as BGM, then the passenger need not
perform any music source determination operation.

[0105]

After the passenger determines the music
source/output port on the "AUDIO MENU" screen, it is
judged whether the selected music source is only a car-mounted
source (music source of the audio apparatus
100) or not (S15).

[0106]

If the judgment result in S15 is YES, it is
judged whether the output destination is only the
speakers 28 or not (S16).

[0107]

On the other hand, if the judgment result in S15
is NO, the music data of the music selected from
external music sources (portable audio apparatuses 200a
and 200b) is received and the received music data is
stored in an information storage unit (not shown) such
as a semiconductor memory of the audio apparatus (S17).
Then, it is judged whether the output destination set
in S14 is the speakers 28 only or not (S16).

[0108]

That is, if the external music sources (portable
audio apparatuses 200a and 200b) are selected in the
"Source" selection area D11, the music data sent from
the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b are
received by the audio apparatus 100 in real time and
the received music data is immediately subjected to
predetermined processing such as decoding and then
reproduced and output.

[0109]

Note, even if the external music sources (portable
audio apparatuses 200a and 200b) are selected
consecutively, control is performed such that the music
data is transmitted/received in real time and
reproduced/output.

[0110]

Then, if the result of judgment in S16 as to
whether the selected output destination is only the
speakers 28 or not is YES, the selected music is
reproduced and output from the speakers 28 in real time
(S18). On the other hand, if the judgment result is NO,
it is further judged whether the output destination is
the speakers 28 and external speakers (headphones 202a,
202b) or not (S19).

[0111]

If the judgment result in S19 is YES, the
selected music (music previously selected by the
passenger to be replayed) to be output from the
speakers 28 is reproduced and output from the speakers
28 and the selected music to be output from the
external speakers is sent to the selected external
speakers (headphones 202a, 202b) (S20).

[0112]

Thus, if the two output destinations of the music
data, the speakers 28 and external player A, are
selected/determined, the speakers 28 reproduce and
output the music data of the portable audio apparatus
200a, which is the external player A, in real time and
the headphone 202a of the external player A reproduces
and outputs the music data of the portable audio
apparatus 200b, which is the external player B, in real
time.

[0113]

In this case, the music data of the portable audio
apparatus 200b, which is the external player B, can
also be sent directly from the portable audio apparatus
200b, which is the external player B, to the headphone
202a of the external player A in real time bypassing
the car-mounted audio apparatus 100.

[0114]

If the judgment result in S19 is NO, that is, if
the output destination is only the external speakers,
the music data of the selected music is sent to the
selected external speakers (headphones 202a and 202b of
the portable audio apparatuses) (S21).

[0115]

Thus, if, for example, the above selection is made
in "AUDIO MENU", the second music data is sent in real
time from the portable audio apparatus 200a, external
player A, to the audio apparatus 100, reproduced/output
from the car-mounted speakers 28 and all music data
pieces of the portable audio apparatus 200b, external
player B, are sent in real time to the portable audio
apparatus 200a, external player A, and
reproduced/output in real time from the headphone 202b
of the external player A.

[0116]

Then, in the above control state, it is judged
whether the passenger has operated the audio operation
switch 107 or not (S22). If the audio operation switch
107 has been operated, an audio operation signal
corresponding to the operation is output from the
relevant switch.

[0117]

If the judgment result in S22 is YES, an audio
operation signal is output to the corresponding
apparatuses according to the output changeover switch
109 that switches the output destination of the audio
operation signal (S23).

[0118]

Thus, when the passenger operates the fast-forward
switch, if the audio apparatus 100 has been
selected by the output changeover switch 109, the music
reproduced and output from the speakers 28 is fast-forwarded.
On the other hand, if the portable audio
apparatus 200a of the external player A has been
selected by the output changeover switch 109, the music
reproduced and output from the headphone 202a of the
portable audio apparatus is fast-forwarded.

[0119]

If the judgment result in S22 is NO, that is, if
the passenger has not operated the audio operation
switches 107, the process directly shifts to Return.

[0120]

Communication control and audio control of the
audio apparatus 100 are carried out in this way.

[0121]

Then, the operation of the portable audio
apparatus 200 will be explained using the flow chart of
operation control of the portable audio apparatus 200
shown in FIG. 8. This flow chart indicates the
procedure of a software program executed by the CPU 203.

[0122]

Here, the portable audio apparatus 200a, which is
the external player A, will be explained, but the other
portable audio apparatus will be operated in the same
way.

[0123]

First, it is judged whether the power of the
portable audio apparatus 200a is ON or not (Q10) and if
the judgment result is NO, the process shifts to Return
and if the judgment result is YES, it is judged whether
the internal/external changeover switch 209 of the
portable audio apparatus 200a is in an external output
state or not (Q11).

[0124]

If the result of the judgment about the external
output state is NO, the music data (hereinafter
referred to as "internal music data") of the music
sources 204 (CD, MD, memory card, etc.) of the portable
audio apparatus is output/reproduced from the headphone
202a as in the case of a normal portable audio
apparatus (Q12).

[0125]

On the other hand, the judgment result in Q11 is
YES, the relevant portable audio apparatus 200 is
connected and registered in the audio apparatus 100 in
accordance with the aforementioned search/connection
operation of the audio apparatus 100 (Q13). Thus, the
portable audio apparatus 200a constitutes a network
together with other apparatuses (audio apparatus 100,
portable audio apparatus 200b) via in-car radio
communication.

[0126]

When the relevant portable audio apparatus 200 is
connected to and registered in the audio apparatus 100,
then it is judged whether the own portable audio
apparatus 200a is selected by the passenger as the
output destination through the selection signal
received by the audio apparatus 100 (Q14).

[0127]

Then, whether the judgment result in Q14 is YES
or NO, it is judged whether there is any request for
sending internal music data to the external apparatuses
(audio apparatus 100 or other portable audio apparatus
200b) (Q15, Q16).

[0128]

When it is judged that the own portable audio
apparatus 200a is the output destination and there is a
request for sending internal music data to the audio
apparatus 100 or other portable audio apparatus 200b
(hereinafter referred to as "external apparatuses"),
the internal music data is sent to the external
apparatuses in real time and at the same time, the
music data of the external apparatuses (hereinafter
referred to as "external music data") is received and
reproduced/output from the headphone 202a of the
portable audio apparatus in real time (Q17).

[0129]

Thus, if, for example, the music source/output
port is selected/determined on the "AUDIO MENU" screen
as shown above, the music data retained in the portable
audio apparatus 200a of the external player A is sent
to the audio apparatus 100 and the passenger can replay
the music data in the vehicle in real time and at the
same time, the headphone 202a of the external player A
receives in real time the music data retained in the
portable audio apparatus 202b of the external player B
and the passenger can personally replay the music data.

[0130]

On the other hand, if it is judged in Q14 and Q15
that the own portable audio apparatus 200a is the
output destination and there is no request for sending
internal music data to the external apparatuses, the
external music data is received and the headphone 202a
reproduces and outputs the music data in real time
(Q18).

[0131]

Thus, in this case, the passenger can receive the
music data of the audio apparatus 100 or music data of
the other portable audio apparatus 200b in real time
and personally enjoy the music data by the headphone
202a without sending the music data from the own
portable audio apparatus 200a to the external
apparatuses.

[0132]

On the other hand, if it is judged in Q14 and Q16
that the own portable audio apparatus 200a is not the
output destination and there is a request for sending
internal music data to the external apparatuses, the
internal music data is sent to the external apparatuses
in real time (Q19).

[0133]

Thus, in this case, no music is reproduced/output
from the headphone 202a and it is not possible to
personally enjoy music but it is possible to send the
music data to the audio apparatus 100 or other portable
audio apparatus 200b and enjoy in real time the music
data retained in the own portable audio apparatus 200a
using the speakers 28 or the headphones 202b of the
other portable audio apparatuses.

[0134]

Furthermore, if it is judged in Q14 and Q16 that
the own portable audio apparatus 200a is not the output
destination and there is no request for sending
internal music data to the external apparatuses, either,
then the internal music data and external music data
are not transmitted/received and the portable audio
apparatus 200a is held in a standby state (Q20).

[0135]

In this case, the portable audio apparatus 200a
neither reproduces/outputs from the headphone 202a nor
sends the music data to the external apparatuses.

[0136]

Then, in the above control state, it is judged
whether the passenger has operated the audio operation
switch 208 of the portable audio apparatus 200a or not
(Q21).

[0137]

If the judgment result in Q21 is YES, an audio
operation signal according to the operation of the
audio operation switches 208 is output to the
corresponding audio apparatus (Q22).

[0138]

For example, if the music data reproduced/output
from the headphone 202a is the music data retained in
the audio apparatus 100, an audio operation signal is
sent to the audio apparatus 100. Furthermore, if the
music data reproduced/output from the headphone 202a is
the music data retained in the other portable audio
apparatus, the audio operation signal is sent to the
other portable audio apparatus 200b. In the case of
the own music source 204, the own portable audio
apparatus 200a is controlled as is.

[0139]

On the other hand, if the judgment result in Q21
is NO, the portable audio apparatus 200a maintains its
control state without sending the audio operation
signal.

[0140]

Then, it is judged whether the audio operation
signal has been received from the external apparatuses
or not (Q23).

[0141]

If the judgment result in Q23 is YES, the audio
operation of the internal music data is executed
according to the received audio operation signal (Q24),
and if the judgment result is NO, the control state is
maintained as is and the process shifts to Return.

[0142]

Thus, if the audio operation signal is received
from an external apparatus, the music data of the own
portable audio apparatus 200a is subjected to audio-operations
by the external apparatus (audio apparatus
100 or other portable audio apparatus 200b).

[0143]

For example, it is possible to audio-operate the
music data of the portable audio apparatus 200a by
operating the audio operation switch 107 of the audio
apparatus 100 or audio-operate the music data of the
audio operation switches 208 of the portable audio
apparatus 200b of the external player B by operating
the audio operation switches 208 of the portable audio
apparatus 200a of the external player A. Thus,
operating the own portable audio apparatus without
causing trouble to other passengers can freely and
easily perform audio operations of the music that one
enjoys.

[0144]

Communication control and audio control of the
portable audio apparatuses are carried out in this way.

[0145]

Then, the operation of erasing music data retained
in the audio apparatus 100, etc. will be explained.

[0146]

This music data erasure operation erases the music
data selected by the passenger from the information
storage unit of the audio apparatus 100 and thereby can
arrange music data of the information storage unit at
the request of the passenger.

[0147]

This erasure operation is carried out by the
passenger operating the audio top switch 58c on the
operation panel 51 of the audio apparatus 100,
displaying the "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen shown in FIG. 9
on the display screen and selecting/determining "Erase
received music" D4 with the cross cursor/determination
button 108.

[0148]

If the passenger selects/determines "Erase
received music" D4, the display screen is switched to
the "Erasure MENU" screen shown in FIG. 9, which
displays the storage content of the music data and
target apparatuses and erasure method.

[0149]

From this "Erasure MENU" screen, if the passenger
selects/determines the apparatus storing the music data
to be erased in the "Target apparatus" selection area
D41, the storage content of the corresponding apparatus
is displayed in the "Memory data" display area D42.

[0150]

The music data (contents data) is associated with
the corresponding music title data (title data) and the
audio apparatus 100 displays characters that represent
the corresponding music titles in the "memory data"
display area D42 according to the music title data.
When the passenger selects/determines the music title
of the music data to be erased with the storage content
displayed in the "memory data" display area D42 and
selects/determines the "Erase" D43, the music data that
the passenger wants to erase is erased from the
information storage unit of the corresponding apparatus.

[0151]

For example, if the passenger wants to erase the
first music of the information storage unit of the
audio apparatus 100, the processing of erasing music
data is performed by selecting/determining the
selection content shown in the "Erasure MENU" screen in
FIG. 9.

[0152]

Note, this embodiment also sets external players
(external player A, external player B, etc.) in the
"Target apparatus" selection area D41 so as to erase
the storage content of the portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b, too.

[0153]

As the erasure method, "Erase all received music
pieces" D44 and "Erase all" D45 are set in addition to
"Erase" D43. Here, "Erase all received music pieces"
means a method of erasing all music data received from
other apparatuses and stored and "Erase all" means a
method of erasing all music data stored in the
information storage unit of a desired apparatus
together with music data stored independently.

[0154]

After erasing the music data to be erased,
selecting/determining "End" D46 terminates the erasure
operation.

[0155]

Then, the Internet operation will be explained,
which receives digital music data from outside the
vehicle and reproduces/outputs the music data as music
from the speakers 28.

[0156]

The Internet operation is carried out by the
passenger operating the audio top switch 58c on the
operation panel 51 of the audio apparatus 100,
displaying the "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen shown in FIG. 5
on the display screen and selecting/determining
"Receive music from Internet" D3 with a cross
cursor/determination button.

[0157]

When the passenger selects/determines "Receive
music from Internet" D3, the display screen is switched
to the "Internet MENU" screen shown in FIG. 10 and the
apparatus is connected to the Internet.

[0158]

The "Internet MENU" screen displays the music
distribution service site screen and shows "Best hits
in this week" D31, "Traditional Japanese music select"
D32, etc. allowing the passenger to select music data
from a variety of genre.

[0159]

The passenger selects/determines the item of
genre of his/her choice from this "Internet MENU"
screen, selects/determines the music data of the music
to be distributed and receives the music. Then, the
audio apparatus 100 temporarily stores the received
music data in the information storage unit and
reproduces/outputs the music data as music from the
speakers 28 according to the operation of the passenger.

[0160]

In this way, using music distribution of the
Internet makes it possible to replay a large amount of
new music in the vehicle.

[0161]

Then, a data transfer will be explained, which
transfers music data stored in each apparatus to
another apparatus and sends/receives music data between
different apparatuses.

[0162]

The data transfer operation is carried out by the
passenger operating the audio top switch on the
operation panel 51 of the audio apparatus 100,
displaying the "AUDIO TOP MENU" screen shown in FIG. 5
on the display screen and selecting/determining
"Transfer received music" D5 with a cross
cursor/determination button.

[0163]

When the passenger selects/determines "Transfer
received music" D5, the display screen is switched to
the "Transfer MENU" screen shown in FIG. 11 and the
transmitting apparatus, storage content of the music
data, receiving apparatus and transfer method are shown.

[0164]

Music data is transferred between different
apparatuses by the passenger selecting/determining a
desired item with the cross cursor/determination button
108 on the "Transfer MENU" screen.

[0165]

For example, when the passenger wants to transfer
the music data of the first music from the information
storage unit of the audio apparatus 100 to a portable
audio apparatus 200a of the external player A, the
passenger selects/determines the "Car-mounted memory"
D51a in the "Transmitting apparatus" selection area D51
as the selection content of the "Transfer MENU" screen,
displays the car-mounted memory data D52, which is the
storage content of the information storage unit of the
audio apparatus 100 and selects/determines the music
data D52a of the first music in the car-mounted memory
data D52. Then, the passenger selects/determines the
external player AD53a in the "Receiving apparatus"
selection area D53.

[0166]

After selecting/determining music data in this
way, selecting/determining the "Transfer" D54 allows
the music data of the first music to be transferred
from the information storage unit of the audio
apparatus 100 to the portable audio apparatus 200a of
the external player A.

[0167]

If the passenger wants to transfer all music data,
the passenger selects/determines "Transfer all" D55 in
the car-mounted memory data D52 instead of
selecting/determining specific music, then all music
data is transferred at a time.

In this data transfer, selecting/determining
external players in the "Transmitting apparatus"
selection area D51 and the "Receiving apparatus"
selection area D53 also allows a data transfer of music
data between the selected plurality of portable audio
apparatuses 200.

[0170]

A data transfer being enabled between apparatuses,
it is possible to easily exchange music data not only
between the audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
apparatuses 200 but also between the portable audio
apparatuses. Thus, it is possible to freely exchange
music data of preference between passengers or freely
transfer music data of the audio apparatus 100 to a
portable audio apparatus.

<First modification of first embodiment>

[0171]

Then, Fig. 12 shows a display screen of this
modification.

[0172]

In this modification, display screen D60 shows a
screen changeover switch D61 (NAVI switch D61a, AUDIO
switch D61b, AUDIO TOP switch D61c) that switches
between the display screens, a cross
cursor/determination button D62 that determines a
predetermined item, an audio operation switch D63 to
enter an audio operation signal and an output
changeover switch D64 that switches the output
destination of the audio operation signal and allows
the passenger to perform audio operations from the
display screen D60.

[0173]

That is, this modification constructs the display
screen D60 with a touch panel allowing the passenger to
enter audio operations to the audio apparatus 100 by
directly touching the screen.

[0174]

In this modification, the method of input
operations by the audio apparatus 100 and control
content are mostly the same as those in the embodiment
above.

[0175]

That is, when the passenger selects the audio
switch D61a with the screen changeover switch D61, the
"AUDIO MENU" screen D65 appears in the center and for
example, the passenger selects/determines the external
player A in the Source" selection area D66 on the AUDIO
MENU" screen, the 4th music in the "Music title list"
selection area D67 and the speakers 28 in the "Output
destination" selection area D67 with the cross
cursor/determination button D62, and thereby the audio
apparatus 100 determines the reproduction/output
destination of the music (see FIG. 15).

[0176]

Then, when an audio operation signal of
reproduction and stop, etc. of the music data according
to the input operation of the passenger is output from
the audio operation switch D63, the audio apparatus 100
outputs the audio operation signal to the corresponding
apparatus according to the setting condition of the
output changeover switch D64.

[0177]

Note, when the AUDIO TOP switch D61c is selected,
various selection processing screens are displayed on
the display screen D60 as in the case of the embodiment
above allowing selection operation.

[0178]

As described above, this modification is
constructed so that the passenger can perform audio
operations by directly touching the display screen,
thus making it possible to eliminate audio operation
switches, etc. from the operation panel 51 of the audio
apparatus 100 set in the instrument panel. This makes
the configuration of the operation panel 51 compact and
allows the passenger to directly operate the audio
apparatus while watching the display screen, thus
improving operability.

<Second modification of first embodiment>

[0179]

Then, a different modification of the
identification method of the portable audio apparatuses
will be explained based on Fig. 13 and Fig. 14.

[0180]

As shown in Fig. 13, this modification adopts a
communication method capable of providing directivity
for a radio signal sent from the in-car radio antenna
34, thereby identifying portable audio apparatuses that
exist in the vehicle.

[0181]

Fig. 13 is a drawing to explain that the audio
apparatus 100 in this modification sends a plurality of
radio communication signals with directivity from the
in-car radio antenna 34 in accordance with each seating
position of the vehicle 1, thereby mutually carries out
radio communication with the portable audio apparatuses
that exist in the vehicle and identifies those portable
audio apparatuses.

[0182]

In this modification, the in-car radio antenna 34
installed almost in the center of the vehicle emits
radio communication signals with directivity L1, L2, L3
and L4 around in four directions corresponding to the
seating positions 2, 3 and 4 and carries out radio
communication with the portable audio apparatuses.

[0183]

As shown by the hatching areas in Fig. 13, these
radio communication signals L1, L2, L3 and L4 are sent
from the in-car radio antenna 34 so as to irradiate the
total areas of the seats 2, 3 and 4 at their respective
predetermined irradiation angles. Adopting such a
configuration, this modification is constructed to
allow the passengers to be seated to reliably search
the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b no matter
where the passengers put the portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b and carry out radio communication.

[0184]

As these radio communication signals L1, L2, L3
and L4 are sent, the audio apparatus 100 detects the
portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b at their
respective irradiated seating positions, automatically
identifies the detected portable audio apparatuses as
apparatuses forming a radio communication network in
the vehicle and at the same time sets the identified
portable audio apparatuses as the apparatuses to/from
which music data can be transmitted/received.

[0185]

For example, when the portable audio apparatus
200a is searched and connected, through the radio
communication signal L1 corresponding to the driver
seat 2, the portable audio apparatus 200a can be
identified as "External player A", and when the
portable audio apparatus 200b is searched and connected
through the radio communication signal L2 corresponding
to the assistant seat 3, the portable audio apparatus
200b can be identified as "External player B".

[0186]

Thus, this modification allows portable audio
apparatuses to be identified through radio
communication signals with directivity.

<Third modification of first embodiment>

[0187]

Fig. 14 is a drawing to explain that the audio
apparatus 100 in this modification sends a radio
communication signal with directivity from the in-car
radio antenna 34 in accordance with the positions of
mounts provided in the vehicle for the portable audio
apparatuses, thereby mutually carries out radio
communication with the portable audio apparatuses which
exist in the vehicle and identifies those portable
audio apparatuses.

[0188]

In this modification, the in-car radio antenna 34
installed almost in the center of the vehicle emits
radio communication signals L11, L12, L13 and L14 with
directivity in directions corresponding to the
positions of mounts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d of the portable
audio apparatuses set in the vehicle and carries out
radio communication with the portable audio apparatuses.

[0189]

As shown in Fig. 14, the positions of the mounts
5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are predetermined in the vehicle.
For this reason, the in-car radio antenna 34 in this
modification focuses the irradiation angles of the
radio communication signals L11, L12, L13 and L14 as
shown in the hatching areas in the same figure and
pinpoints the irradiation thereof on the mounts 5a, 5b,
5c and 5d. Moreover, the audio apparatus 100 in this
modification is constructed to carry out radio
communication only when the portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b are set on the mounts.

[0190]

Also, in this modification, when these radio
communication signals L1, L2, L3 and L4 are transmitted,
the audio apparatus 100 detects the portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b at the seating positions
irradiated, automatically identifies the detected
portable audio apparatuses as apparatuses making up a
radio communication network in the vehicle and at the
same time sets the identified portable audio
apparatuses as the apparatuses to/from which music data
can be transmitted/received.

[0191]

For example, when the portable audio apparatus
200a is searched and connected through the radio
communication signal L11 that irradiates the mount 5a
near the driver seat, the portable audio apparatus 200a
is identified as "External player A", and when the
portable audio apparatus 200b is searched and connected
through the radio communication signal L12 that
irradiates the mount 5b near the assistant seat, the
portable audio apparatus 200b is identified as
"External player B".

[0192]

Thus, this modification allows portable audio
apparatuses to be identified through radio
communication signals with directivity.

[0193]

As in the case of the above embodiment, it is
possible to perform audio control on
transmission/reception of music data, etc. by
identifying the portable audio apparatuses 200 as shown
in the second and third modifications explained above.

[0194]

Thus, the identification method of these portable
audio apparatuses makes it possible to visually check
the position of a portable audio apparatus that has
been connected to the car-mounted audio apparatus, thus
improving operability.

[0195]

As described above, the first embodiment and its
modification have the following effects.

[0196]

This embodiment first sends music data retained in
the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b to the
audio apparatus 100 via radio communication and
reproduces/outputs the music data in real time through
the speakers 28 in the vehicle. This allows the music
data retained in the relevant portable audio
apparatuses to be reliably and easily reproduced/output
from the speakers 28 via radio communication without
the passengers bothering to set the portable audio
apparatuses on the mounts.

[0197]

This makes it possible to replay preferred music
using music data in the portable audio apparatus that
the passenger carries without downloading the music
data from the Internet, thus improving operability and
convenience and furthermore attaining cost reduction.

[0198]

Especially, since the music data of the portable
audio apparatuses 200 is reproduced/output in real time,
it is not necessary to store a large volume of music
data in the audio apparatus 100 and it is possible to
reduce the volume of the information storage unit such
as semiconductor memory necessary for the audio
apparatus 100.

[0199]

Furthermore, audio operations of the portable
audio apparatuses 200a and 200b are possible by the
passenger carrying out operations from the audio
operation switches 107 of the audio apparatus 100.
Thus, even if music data is retained in the portable
audio apparatuses 200a and 200b, the passenger can
carry out operations of the portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b directly from the audio apparatus 100.
Also when the driver carries out audio operations
during driving, audio operations through the audio
operation switches 107 of the audio apparatus 100 with
high operability can also secure the safety.

[0200]

Furthermore, this embodiment allows the passenger
to freely select the mode of use of the portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b in the vehicle by switching
between a communication state in which music data is
transmitted/received between the apparatuses 100, 200a
and 200b, and a non-communication state without
performing transmission/reception of music data between
apparatuses using the internal/external changeover
switch 209 of the portable audio apparatuses 200a and
200b.

[0201]

Furthermore, this embodiment allows the passenger
to visually check the physically invisible connection
state of radio communication by visibly displaying the
communication connection state of the audio apparatus
100 and portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
through the connection situation D21 of the "Reception
MENU" screen and reliably judge the connection state of
the audio apparatus 100 and portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b.

[0202]

Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the passenger
does not determine music source through the music
source determination operation, all music data pieces
of each portable audio apparatus are selected one by
one and reproduced/output as music from the speakers 28
one by one, allowing the passenger to enjoy music data
of all the portable audio apparatuses in the vehicle
without selecting the music data every time.

[0203]

Furthermore, this embodiment constructs a radio
communication network made up of respective apparatuses
by assigning identification addresses to a plurality of
portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b that exist
within the radio communication range of the audio
apparatus 100 and thereby identifying the apparatuses.
This allows the audio apparatus 100 to reliably
recognize which of the portable audio apparatuses 200a
and 200b in such a radio communication network has sent
the music data and control reproduction of the music.

[0204]

Furthermore, in the second modification above, the
portable audio apparatuses that exist at the seat
positions are searched/connected by a plurality of
radio communication signals with directivity in
accordance with the seat positions in the vehicle, thus
reliably identifying the portable audio apparatuses.

[0205]

Especially, the passenger can visually check which
portable audio apparatus at which passenger seat music
data is transmitted/received to/from, thus improving
operability.

[0206]

Furthermore, in the third modification above, the
portable audio apparatuses are identified through a
plurality of radio communication signals with
directivity in accordance with the positions of the
mounts of the portable audio apparatuses provided in
the vehicle, making it possible to identify the
portable audio apparatuses when the portable audio
apparatuses are set on the mount. Thus, the passenger
can easily judge which portable audio apparatus on
which mount music data is transmitted/received to/from
and the audio apparatus 100 does not search/connect
portable audio apparatuses other than those that exist
on the mounts, preventing erroneous detection.

[0207]

Furthermore, in this embodiment and its
modification, the in-car radio antenna 34 is installed
almost in the center of the vehicle, which can emit
detection wave uniformly in the vehicle and can
search/connect the portable audio apparatuses in the
vehicle uniformly. Moreover, even if there are any
portable audio apparatuses other than those of the
passengers near and outside the vehicle, this
embodiment and its modification can reduce the
possibility of erroneous detection.

[0208]

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the audio
apparatus 100 receives a plurality of music data pieces
sent from a plurality of portable audio apparatuses
200a and 200b, reproduces/outputs one music data piece
as music from the speakers 28 and reproduces/outputs
other music data pieces as music from the headphones of
the portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b. When a
plurality of portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b
is connected by means of radio communication in the
vehicle, different music data pieces are reproduced
simultaneously from the speakers 28 and portable audio
apparatuses 200a and 200b, and thereby passengers of
the vehicle 1 can replay desired music individually.

[0209]

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of
portable audio apparatuses 200a and 200b are connected
to the audio apparatus 100 with communication
capability by means of radio communication, music data
retained in one portable audio apparatus 200b is sent
to the other portable audio apparatus 200a and the
relevant music data can be reproduced/output as music
from the other portable audio apparatus 200a. This
allows the passenger to replay the music data retained
in the portable audio apparatus 200b of another
passenger as music using the own portable audio
apparatus 200a.

[0210]

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the
passenger selects/determines "Search" D24 from the
"Reception MENU" screen and performs connection
operation only at the initial audio control, it is
possible to eliminate the possibility of erroneous
connection even if other portable audio apparatuses
enter into the communication range of the audio
apparatus 100 during music control such as when the
vehicle is traveling, thereby preventing disturbance of
control.

[0211]

On the other hand, while "Update" D25 is
selected/determined on the "Reception MENU" screen
during audio control, the audio apparatus 100 in this
embodiment automatically performs connection operation
at predetermined time intervals and can thereby
eliminate the need for the passenger to perform
connection operation every time a new portable audio
apparatus is connected.

[0212]

The method of controlling the audio apparatus in
the above embodiments and their modifications is
implemented by the CPUs inside these apparatuses
executing the control program stored in the
concentrated control unit 20 that performs system
control of the audio apparatus 100 and portable audio
apparatus 200, etc. Furthermore, providing such a
control program stored in a program storage medium
separately will also allow the control unit of another
audio apparatus, etc. to execute the above-described
control processing.

[0213]

The first embodiment has been explained so far.
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
but includes any cases where portable audio apparatuses
are carried into the vehicle, music data retained in
those portable audio apparatuses is sent to the audio
apparatus mounted in the vehicle via in-house radio
communication and replayed in real time from speakers
mounted in the vehicle. Its detailed configuration can
be changed as appropriate without departing from the
spirit and scope thereof.

[Second embodiment]

[0214]

Then, a second embodiment, which is based on the
system configuration of the audio apparatus (audio
system) according to the first embodiment above, will
be explained. In the following explanations,
overlapping explanations about the same configurations
as those in the first embodiment will be omitted and
explanations will be focused on characteristic sections
of this embodiment

[0215]

This embodiment is a modification of the first
embodiment above and characterized by the configuration
of the apparatus mounted on the vehicle. This feature
is summarized as follows: Instead of the subsystem
made up of the audio apparatus 100 and speakers 28, etc.
in the first embodiment, the second embodiment
constructs a subsystem in the vehicle with an audio
unit 100A and speaker units 2A to 2D, which will be
described below, making it possible to carry out radio
communication between components which make up the
subsystem itself.

[0216]

Fig. 15 illustrates a configuration example of an
audio apparatus for a vehicle according to the second
embodiment mounted in a car cabin.

[0217]

In the same figure, a basic configuration of the
audio apparatus for a vehicle according to this
embodiment includes, in the car cabin of a vehicle 300,
an audio unit 100A embedded in a center console,
speaker units 2A to 2D embedded in accordance with the
seats in the car cabin and can also include a portable
audio terminal (portable audio apparatus) 3 according
to the need of the passenger in addition to this basic
configuration.

[0218]

In this embodiment, a general configuration is
used as an example in which the speaker units 2A and 2B
are placed near the driver seat and assistant seat of
the vehicle 300 and the speaker units 2C and 2D are
placed behind the right and left rear seats, but the
number and locations of the speaker units are not
limited to the configuration example shown in Fig. 15
and can be determined as appropriate according to the
layout and size, etc. of the seats in the car cabin.

[0219]

Fig. 16 shows a block configuration of components
making up the audio apparatus for a vehicle in the
second embodiment and flows of radio signals between
those components.

<Audio unit 100A>

[0220]

First, the apparatus configuration of the audio
unit 100A will be explained.

[0221]

Reference numeral 112 denotes a plurality of
operation switches 112 that allow the passenger to
select contents such as music and voice to be replayed
in the audio apparatus for a vehicle, set sound quality,
sound volume, replay balance or select the replay unit
such as CD and MD. Reference numeral 113 denotes a
display that displays the setting state set by the
operation switches 112 and the replay state set by the
replay unit, etc. and can also be of a type provided
with a touch panel so that the display also assumes
part of the function of the operation switches 112 (a
display example of the display 113 in this embodiment
will be described later with reference to Fig. 23).

[0222]

Reference numeral 114 denotes an external
communication unit to acquire contents to be replayed
by the audio apparatus for a vehicle from a
communication apparatus outside the vehicle and it is
possible to use a communication module capable of
receiving data via a cable or by radio using infrared
rays, etc. from a radio communication apparatus
connectable to a mobile communication network in the
city or information apparatus such as a personal
digital assistant (PDA) mobile computer.

[0223]

Reference numeral 115 denotes an audio storage
medium (memory) that stores contents acquired from the
outside via the external communication unit 114 and can
also be configured as detachable. This audio storage
medium 115 stores contents information such as music
compressed beforehand according to a system like MP3,
Solid Audio, Liquid Audio.

[0224]

Reference numeral 116 denotes a radio
communication apparatus that carries out radio
communication with the speaker units 2A to 2D and the
portable audio terminal 3 according to a predetermined
communication protocol and this embodiment performs
radio communication based on a Bluetooth system, which
is an example of a short-distance radio communication
system used within a range of distance of several tens
of m.

[0225]

Reference numeral 117 is a replay unit that reads
contents information such as music stored beforehand in
a storage medium such as CD, MD or cassette tape.
Reference numeral 111 denotes a microcomputer that
controls each block of the audio unit 100A above and
thereby provides contents reproduction by the speaker
units 2A to 2D and portable audio terminal 3, which
will be described later, and operates according to a
control program stored in memory.

[0226]

Here, when contents information is sent to the
speaker units 2A to 2D, the audio unit 100A sends the
contents information compressed according to a
predetermined system. That is, the microcomputer 111
sends compressed contents information stored in the
audio storage medium 115 in the same data format from
the radio communication apparatus 116, but in the case
of contents information read from the replay unit 117,
the microcomputer 111 compresses the contents
information in a predetermined format such as MP3,
Solid Audio and Liquid Audio above (in the case of MD,
the same data compression format stored in MD can be
used) prior to transmission thereof.

[0227]

Note, that the audio unit 100A is driven by a
power supply supplied from a battery (not shown) of the
vehicle 300. Moreover, the individual structure and
basic function itself of each block of the audio unit
100A above are presently generally known, and therefore
their details will be omitted in this embodiment.

<Portable audio terminal 3>

[0228]

Then, an apparatus configuration of the portable
audio terminal 3 will be explained.

[0229]

Reference numeral 132 denotes a plurality of
operation switches that allows the user to select
contents music (musical piece) or contents such as
voice to be replayed in the portable audio apparatus,
set the replay state such as replay start, stop and
fast-forward of the selected contents, set sound
quality, sound volume and replay balance. Reference
numeral 133 denotes a display that displays the setting
state and the replay state, etc. set by the operation
switches 132.

[0230]

Reference numeral 134 denotes an external
communication unit to acquire contents to be replayed
by the portable audio apparatus from a communication
apparatus outside the vehicle and it is possible to use
a communication module capable of receiving data via a
cable or by radio using infrared rays, etc. from a
radio communication apparatus connectable to a mobile
communication network in the city or information
apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA)
mobile computer.

[0231]

Reference numeral 135 denotes a radio
communication apparatus that carries out radio
communication with the audio unit 100A and the speaker
units 2A to 2D, according to the same predetermined
communication protocol (Bluetooth system) as that of
the audio unit 100A.

[0232]

Reference numeral 136 denotes an audio storage
medium (memory) that stores contents acquired from the
outside via the external communication unit 134 and can
also be configured as detachable. This audio storage
medium 136 stores contents information such as music
compressed beforehand according to a predetermined
system like MP3, Solid Audio, Liquid Audio.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a microcomputer that
controls each block of the portable audio terminal 3
above and thereby provides the replay function by the
terminal as a single unit of replaying contents
information stored in the audio storage medium 136 and
provides contents replay by the speaker units 2A to 2D,
which will be described later, and operates according
to a control program stored in memory.

[0235]

Here, when contents information is sent to the
speaker units 2A to 2D, the portable audio terminal 3
sends the contents information compressed according to
a predetermined system.

[0236]

That is, the microcomputer 131 sends compressed
contents information stored in the audio storage medium
136 in the same data format from the radio
communication apparatus 135. When compressed contents
information stored in the audio storage medium 136 is
output as sound from the speakers (or headphones) 137,
the microcomputer 131 decodes the compressed contents
information according to the compression format and
reproduces according to the decoded data.

[0237]

Note, that the portable audio terminal 3 is driven
by a power supply supplied from a battery (not shown)
in the terminal. Moreover, the individual structure
and basic function itself of each block of the portable
audio terminal 3 above are presently generally known,
and therefore their details will be omitted in this
embodiment. Furthermore, the portable audio terminal 3
can also include a replay unit that reads contents
information such as music pre-stored in a storage
medium such as CD, MD or cassette tape.

<Speaker units 2A to 2D>

[0238]

Then, an apparatus configuration of the speaker
units 2A to 2D will be explained.

[0239]

Reference numeral 222 denotes a radio
communication apparatus that receives a radio signal,
etc. including contents (e.g. musical piece) from the
audio unit 100A or portable audio terminal 3 according
to the same predetermined communication protocol
(Bluetooth system) as that of the audio unit 100A and
portable audio terminal 3 and sends the radio signal
received from the own speaker unit to the other speaker
units at the request of other speaker units as will be
described later.

[0240]

Reference numeral 223 denotes a speaker that
outputs contents such as musical piece reproduced from
the radio signal received by the radio communication
apparatus 222. Reference numeral 221 denotes a
microcomputer that controls the radio communication
apparatus 222 and speakers 223 above and thereby
provides the function of communication with other
speaker units and contents reproduction as will be
described later and operates according to a control
program stored in memory.

[0241]

When the contents information compressed in a
predetermined format is received from the audio unit
100A or portable audio terminal 3, the microcomputer
221 of the speaker units 2A to 2D decodes the contents
information according to the protocol corresponding to
the compression format and reproduces sound from the
speaker 223 according to the decoded data.

[0242]

Note, that the speaker units 2A to 2D are driven
by a power supply supplied from a battery (not shown)
of the vehicle 300. Moreover, the individual structure
and basic function itself of each block of each speaker
unit are presently generally known, and therefore their
details will be omitted in this embodiment.

[0243]

The arrowed lines in Fig. 16 conceptually show
flows of radio signals transmitted/received between
components such as the audio unit 100A, portable audio
terminal 3 and speaker units 2A to 2D above.

[0244]

The radio signals at least transmitted/received to
implement this embodiment include signals (hereinafter
referred to as "music signals") including information
of contents (e.g., music) commonly sent to the speaker
units (including the portable audio terminal 3),
signals including individual audio replay
characteristic information (hereinafter referred to as
"audio replay characteristic signals") of each speaker
unit corresponding to desired sound quality, sound
volume, replay balance, etc. set by the passengers
using the audio unit 100A and signals including sync
information (hereinafter referred to as "synch
signals")of individual sound output timing by the
speaker units 2A to 2D.

[0245]

These radio signals include not only the
information content above to be sent but also
identification information to identify the transmission
source and transmission destination and predetermined
transmission error determination codes, etc.

[0246]

Note, that the radio communication system used in
each component is not limited to Bluetooth, but any
system can also be used if it allows high-speed and
large volume data transfer in such a way that there
will be no delay in transmission of contents
information to be reproduced in a space of the vehicle
room in which the audio apparatus for a vehicle is
mounted.

[0247]

In this embodiment, contents information is
transmitted/received to/from the speaker units 2A to 2D
compressed in the predetermined format above. However,
if the radio communication system used allows high-speed
and large volume data transfer, by sending music
signals including decoded contents information from the
audio unit 100A or portable audio terminal 3, a
hardware or software module for implementing decoding
processing can be omitted from the speaker units 2A to
2D.

<Contents reproduction>

[0248]

Then, the contents reproduction operation
implemented when the above components each act will be
explained with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 19A and Fig.
19B and Fig. 23.

[0249]

Note, that the audio apparatus for a vehicle
according to this embodiment can reproduce various
kinds of contents (conversation, sports replay, news,
etc.), but in the following explanations, most general
musical pieces (music) will be taken as an example of
typical contents.

[0250]

First, a basic music reproduction operation in
this embodiment will be outlined.

[0251]

Fig. 23 shows a display example of the display 113
of the audio unit 100A. When the passenger wants
reproduction of musical pieces using the audio
apparatus for a vehicle, the passenger operates the
power switch and thereby makes the audio unit 100A
display the setting screen in Fig. 23.

[0252]

In this display screen, the passenger selects some
desired music source from among a plurality of types of
music sources to be replayed and registers the external
player as required. Here, the music source denotes the
source of information to replay musical pieces.

[0253]

In the example shown in Fig. 23, CD is selected
and the external player 1 is selected. Furthermore, in
this embodiment, the portable audio terminal 3 is
selected to be identifiable with an identification
number, etc. as the external player 1 through the
setting operation by the passenger from a screen (not
shown) and when music signals are sent from the
relevant terminal and audio unit 100A, the priority
order in which the music signals should be replayed is
set.

[0254]

Then, according to the music source selection
operation above, a list of CD musical pieces inserted
in the replay unit 117 (CD player, in this case)
beforehand is automatically displayed in the left area
of the display and the passenger selects musical pieces
to be replayed using the cursor key, etc. near the
right end of the audio unit 100A.

[0255]

Furthermore, the passenger can set audio replay
characteristics such as sound quality, sound volume and
replay balance (including the setting of a pseudo-silenced
state, which will be described later) during
voice output from the speaker units 2A to 2D
individually for each speaker unit using the operation
switches 112, which are not shown in Fig. 23 (Note, if
no setting is performed, predetermined default settings
are used).

[0256]

Then, when the passenger performs operations such
as "Replay", "Fast-forward" and "Stop" as required, the
audio unit 100A sends music signals including
information on the selected musical pieces and control
signals including control information such as stop and
fast-forward to the speaker units 2A to 2D and sends
audio replay characteristic signals including audio
reply characteristic information set by the passenger
(or default) to each speaker unit individually.

[0257]

Then, the speaker units 2A to 2D reproduce the
music signals received from the audio unit 100A
according to the audio replay characteristic signals
and control signals received in the same way and
outputs a replay signal created by reproduction as
sound from the speakers 223.

[0258]

At this time, in this embodiment, since the
portable audio terminal 3 is registered as the external
player 1 as shown above, if the relevant terminal is
inside or near the car cabin of the vehicle 300, the
headphone 137 can also reproduce the musical pieces of
the same contents as those of the relevant speaker unit.

[0259]

Moreover, in the order of reproduction of musical
pieces previously set by the passenger from the audio
unit 100A, for example, if the audio unit 100A is
higher than the portable audio terminal 3, it is
possible to output the musical pieces included in the
music signals from the speaker units 2A to 2D by
sending the music signals from the relevant terminal
when the music signals are not sent from the relevant
unit yet. In this case, the portable audio terminal 3
also sends an audio replay characteristic signal
according to the setting regarding the replay
characteristics set by the user from the relevant
terminal. The music replay priority information set by
this passenger can be sent from the audio unit 100A to
each speaker unit at predetermined or undetermined
intervals as a control signal including the priority
information.

[0260]

If the contents to be reproduced is a musical
piece, for example, a delimitation (unit) of the amount
of information when the music signal is sent from the
audio unit 100A (or portable audio terminal 3) can be a
unit of one musical piece or a plurality of musical
pieces or a unit of a predetermined time of a few
seconds or so to divide one musical piece into a
plurality of portions. In the case of radio
broadcasting, the unit is preferred to be a shorter
time unit to secure real-time broadcasting. Any way,
design can be conducted in such a way as to arrange the
amount of information to be sent in predetermined units
according to factors such as over what extent of time
the frequency band used in the adopted radio
communication system can be occupied by the audio
apparatus for a vehicle according to this embodiment.

[0261]

Fig. 17 is a flow chart of musical piece
reproduction processing in the audio unit 100A in the
second embodiment and shows the control procedure
executed by the microcomputer 111 according to a
control program pre-stored in memory.

[0262]

In the same figure, in step 3201: it is judged
whether any of operation switches 112 is operated and
if the judgment result is YES (operated), the process
goes to step S205 and if the judgment result is NO (not
operated), the process goes to S202.

[0263]

Step S202 to step S204: Since none of the
operation switches 112 is operated, the setting state
of an internal flag F that indicates whether the audio
unit 100A sends a radio signal or not is judged (step
S202), and if this judgment results in F=1 (the radio
signal is sent), it is judged whether a stop signal to
stop the transmission of the radio signal from the
relevant unit has been received from the portable audio
terminal 3 or not (step S203), and if F=0 (transmission
of the radio signal is stopped), the process returns to
step S201.

[0264]

Then, if the judgment in step S203 is NO (when no
stop signal has been received), the process goes to
step S208 to continue the transmission of the radio
signal and if the judgment in step S203 is YES (the
stop signal has been received), the internal flag is
set to F=0 (step S204) and the process returns to step
S201.

[0265]

Step S205: The type of the operation switch whose
operation has been detected in the judgment in step
S201 from among the operation switches 112 is judged
and if the operated switch is a switch related to audio
replay ("Replay" switch illustrated in Fig. 23), the
process goes to step S206 and if the operated switch is
a switch related to replay stop ("Stop" or "Pause"
switch illustrated in Fig. 23), the process goes to
step S206, and if the operated switch is a switch
related to the audio characteristic setting (switch not
shown which allows the audio replay characteristic
above), the process goes to step S211.

[0266]

Step S206 and step S207: Since the audio unit
100A has instructed reproduction, a stop signal is sent
to the relevant terminal (step S206) to prohibit a
radio signal from being sent from the portable audio
terminal 3 and the internal flag is set to F=1 (radio
signal is sent) (step S207).

[0267]

Step S208 to step S210: Before the switch about
audio replay ("Replay" switch) is operated, the above
selected musical pieces on the display in Fig. 23 are
read from the audio storage medium 115 (or storage
medium inserted into the replay unit 117), music
signals including information on the musical piece
(information of compressed data format) are created
(step S208), the created music signals are sent in a
predetermined unit together from the radio
communication apparatus 116 according to a
predetermined communication protocol (step S209) and
the process returns to step S201.

[0268]

Then, when the operation of the switch about
replay stop ("Stop" switch) is detected in step S205,
the internal flag is set to F=0 (transmission of the
radio signal is stopped) (step S210) and the process
returns to step S201.

[0269]

That is, when the transmission of the music signal
is started according to the operation of the "Replay"
switch, the transmission of the music signals each
containing a predetermined unit amount of information
of the musical pieces continues until all selected
musical pieces are sent until the operation of the
switch about replay stop is detected.

[0270]

Note, when the "Pause" switch is operated, the
internal flag is held to F=1 (radio signal is sent),
the transmission of the music signals can be
temporarily stopped.

[0271]

Step S211: When the operation of the switch about
the setting of the audio characteristics is detected in
step S205, the internal flag F setting state is judged
(step S211), and if this judgment is F=1 (radio signal
is sent), the process goes to step S212 to send the
audio replay characteristic signal according to the
relevant setting and if F=0 (transmission of the radio
signal is stopped), the process returns to step S201.

[0272]

Step S212 to step S214: In order to realize a
desired sound field according to the operation of the
switch about the operated audio characteristic setting,
the setting information on the replay characteristic
such as sound quality, sound volume and replay balance
of the speaker units 2A to 2D of memory (not shown) in
the microcomputer 111 is updated (step S212, step S213),
the audio replay characteristic signal according to the
updated setting information is individually sent to
each speaker unit (step S214) and the process returns
to step S201.

[0273]

Here, the memory, which is not shown, of the
microcomputer 111, stores location information of all
the speaker units 2A to 2D and setting information on
the audio replay characteristics to realize a general
sound field at those locations (for example, when the
relevant audio apparatus for a vehicle is mounted in
the vehicle 300).

[0274]

The setting information above is pre-stored as a
default setting and the relevant setting information in
step S212 and step S213 can be updated for the setting
items such as sound quality, sound volume and replay
balance except the location information of the relevant
speaker units. Thus, no matter what characteristic is
set, musical pieces are replayed with an optimal sound
field according to the installation location of the
speaker units 2A to 2D.

[0275]

Moreover, the setting of the audio replay
characteristic (sound field setting) using the
operation switches 112 in the audio unit 100A includes
choices like setting of sound volume to zero, setting
for generating a pseudo-silenced state or setting for
generating sound stripped of a specific frequency
component, etc. for a desired speaker unit of the four
speaker units.

[0276]

The reason why these settings are possible in this
embodiment is that as described above, the setting
information about the audio replay characteristic
includes location information of all the speaker units
2A to 2D, and so it is possible to realize replay
characteristics taking into account the other speaker
units when one speaker unit tries to replay sound with
a desired sound field.

[0277]

That is, in order to generate a pseudo-silenced
state at a seat corresponding to a specific speaker
unit, it is possible to change the phase of the sound
output from the speaker unit opposite to the phase of
the sound output from another speaker unit within the
range in which the voice reaches the seat corresponding
to the speaker unit and set the volume level based on
the relevant location information. Furthermore, in
order to generate sound stripped of a specific
frequency component, it is possible to apply filtering
before the speaker unit outputs the replay signal from
the speaker 223.

[0278]

Therefore, the setting information that can
realize such a replay signal is sent to each speaker
unit through the audio replay characteristic signal
according to the setting of the audio replay
characteristics in the audio unit 100A.

[0279]

Fig. 18 is a flow chart of musical piece replay
processing in the speaker units 2A to 2D in the second
embodiment and shows the control procedure executed by
the microcomputer 221 of each speaker unit according to
a control program pre-stored in memory.

[0280]

In the same figure, in step S221 and step S222: it
is judged whether an audio replay characteristic signal
directed to the own speaker unit has been received from
the audio unit 100A (step S221) and if the judgment
result is NO (the relevant signal is not received), the
process goes to step S223 and if the judgment result is
YES (the relevant signal has been received), the audio
replay characteristics of the own speaker unit are
updated according to the setting information included
in the received audio replay characteristics signal
(step S222) and the process goes to S223.

[0281]

Step S223, step S224: It is judged whether a
musical signal is received from the audio unit 100A or
portable audio terminal 3 or not (step S223), and if
the judgment result is NO (the relevant signal is not
received), the process returns to step S221. When the
judgment result in step S223 is YES (the relevant
signal has been received), it is judged whether the
received musical signal is not sent from either one
component of the audio unit 100A or portable audio
terminal 3 or both are a plurality of types of musical
signals including the musical signals sent from an
external player, which is not set on the display screen
in Fig. 23 or not (step S224).

[0282]

Step S225: As the audio unit 100A sets priority,
each speaker unit at least receives a transmitted
control signal and thereby priority in replaying
musical signals is set, and therefore if the judgment
result in step S224 is YES (musical signals are
received from a plurality of types of sources), any one
of the plurality of types of received musical signals
is selected according to the preset priority in this
step (step S225) and the process goes to step S228.

[0283]

Step S226, step S227: When the judgment result in
step S224 is NO (a plurality of types of musical
signals has not been received), it is judged whether no
musical signal has been received (step S226) and if
this judgment result is NO (one musical signal has been
received within a predetermined time), the process goes
to step S228. On the other hand, if the judgment
result in step S226 is YES (when no musical signal has
been received beyond the predetermined time), a control
signal requesting a transfer of the musical signal is
sent to the other speaker units (three speaker units
other than the own speaker unit because in this
embodiment, the musical information itself of a
predetermined unit included in the musical signal has a
content common to all the speaker units) and when the
musical signals are transferred from the other speaker
units to the own speaker unit in response to the
control signal, the musical signals are received (step
S227) and the process goes to step S228.

[0284]

Step 228: It is judged whether special processing
should be applied during sound output, for example,
whether a child seat is attached to the seat
corresponding to the own speaker unit, or whether a
pseudo-silenced state is set.

[0285]

More specifically, it is possible to judge whether
a child seat is attached to the seat corresponding to
the own speaker unit, for example, using a general
system such as a detection system based on the output
signal of an ultrasonic sensor provided in the car
cabin or a detection system that detects a signal
transmitted from an oscillator provided at the child
seat from an antenna embedded in each seat and detects
the child seat based on the size of the detected signal,
and it is possible to receive a control signal
including information expressing the detection state
from the audio unit: 100A at predetermined or
undetermined intervals.

[0286]

Furthermore, it is possible to judge whether a
pseudo-silenced state is set or not by referencing the
audio replay characteristic updated in step S222.

[0287]

Step S229: Since it is judged in step S228 that
special processing is required, in this step, a musical
signal including an amount of information of a
predetermined unit whose reception is detected in step
S223 (or acquired from another speaker unit) is decoded
according to a decoding protocol that conforms to the
protocol at the time of compression and converted to a
replay signal (that is, a signal of opposite phase
realizing a pseudo--silenced state, signal of sound
level 0 or signal with a predetermined frequency
component filtered out, etc.) with reference to the
audio replay characteristic updated in step S222
according to a desired sound field set by the audio
unit 100A. This allows the passenger seated on a
specific seat to drive the speaker unit corresponding
to the seat in a condition according to his/her
preference, for example, to set the speaker unit in a
pseudo-silenced state in the case of a seat to which a
child seat is attached or set the speaker unit to only
output sound that will not adversely affect the child.

[0288]

Step 230: Since it is judged in step S228 that
special processing is not required, in this step, a
musical signal including an amount of information of a
predetermined unit whose reception is detected in step
S223 (or acquired from another speaker unit) is decoded
according to a decoding protocol that conforms to the
protocol at the time of compression and converted to a
replay signal with reference to the audio replay
characteristic updated in step S222 according to a
desired sound field set by the audio unit 100A.

[0289]

Step S231 and step S232: At the time of reception
of the musical signal received this time or based on a
sync signal common to the speaker units sent by a
predetermined speaker unit, the timing of outputting
the replay signal created in step S229 or step S230
from the speaker 223 of the own speaker unit is
adjusted (step S231) and the relevant replay signal is
output as sound from the speaker 223 (step S232) at the
adjusted output timing and the process returns to step
S221.

[0290]

Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B are flow charts of the music
replay processing in the portable audio terminal 3
according to the second embodiment and show the control
procedure carried out by the microcomputer 131
according to a control program pre-stored in memory.

[0291]

In the same figure, in step S241: It is judged
whether any of the operation switches 132 has been
operated, and if the judgment result is YES (operated),
the process goes to step S250 and if the judgment
result is NO (not operated), the process goes to step
S242.

[0292]

Step S242, step S243: It is judged whether a
musical signal has been received from the audio unit
100A, and if the judgment result is NO (the relevant
signal has not been received), the process goes to step
S247 and if the judgment result is YES (the relevant
signal has been received), the setting state of an
internal flag F2 that indicates whether reception of
the musical signal from the outside (audio unit 100A)
is possible or not (step S243) is judged, and if the
judgment result is F2=0 (reception of the relevant
signal is prohibited), the process goes to step S247
and if F2=1 (reception of the relevant signal is
allowed), the process goes to step S244.

[0293]

Step S244 to step S246: Since the setting state
of the internal flag F2 is F2=1, the received musical
signal is converted to a replay signal (step S244)
according to the replay characteristic preset by the
user of the portable audio terminal 3, the replay
signal is output as sound to the speaker (headphone)
137 (step S245), the setting state of an internal flag
F1 that indicates whether the musical signal including
the musical piece information read from the audio
storage medium 136 by the relevant terminal should be
sent independently or not is set to F1=0 (transmission
of the relevant signal is prohibited) (step S246) and
the process goes to step S247.

[0294]

Step S247 to step S249: The setting state of an
internal flag F0 that indicates whether a radio signal
is sent from the portable audio terminal 3 or not is
judged (step S247) and if the judgment result is F0=1
(the radio signal is sent), it is judged whether a stop
signal instructing that the transmission of the radio
signal from the relevant terminal should be stopped has
been received from the audio unit 100A or not (step
S248) and if F0=0 (transmission of the radio signal is
stopped), the process returns to step S241.

[0295]

If the judgment result in step S248 is NO (the
stop signal has not been received), the process goes to
step S254 to continue the transmission of the radio
signal and if the judgment result is YES (when the stop
signal has been received), the internal flag F0 is set
to F0=0 (step S249) and the process returns to step
S241.

[0296]

Step S250: The type of the operation switch of
the operation switches 132, which is detected to have
been operated in the judgment in step S241, is judged
and if the operated switch is the switch about audio
replay ("Replay" switch), the process goes to step S251,
and if it is the switch about replay stop ("Stop" or
"Pause" switch), the process goes to step S258, and if
it is the switch about mode setting, the process goes
to step S259, and if it is the switch about audio
characteristic setting, the process goes to step S265.

[0297]

Step S251 and step S252: Since the operation
switch of the portable audio terminal 3 has instructed
a replay, the setting state of the internal flag F1 is
judged and if this judgment result is F1=0
(transmission of the musical signal from the relevant
terminal is prohibited), the process goes to step S253,
and if F1=1 (transmission of the musical signal from
the relevant terminal is allowed), a stop signal is
sent to the relevant unit to prohibit the radio signal
from being sent from the audio unit 100A (step S252)
and the process goes to step S253.

[0298]

Step S253: The internal flag F0 is set to F0=1
(radio signal is sent) and the process goes to step
S208.

[0299]

Step S254: Before the switch about audio replay
("Replay" switch) is operated, the musical piece
selected by the user is read from the audio storage
medium 136 and a musical signal including the
information on the musical piece is created.

[0300]

Step S255 to step S258: The setting state of the
internal flag F1 is judged (step S255), and if the
judgment result is F1=0 (transmission of the musical
signal from the relevant terminal is prohibited), the
musical signal created in step S254 is output as sound
to the speaker (headphone) 137 of the relevant terminal
(step S256) and if F1=1 (transmission of the musical
signal from the relevant terminal is allowed), the
musical signals created in step S254 are arranged in a
predetermined unit and sent from the radio
communication apparatus 135 according to a
predetermined communication protocol (step S257) and
the process returns to step S241.

[0301]

Then, when an operation of the switch about replay
stop ("Stop" switch) is detected in step S250, the
internal flag F0 is set to F0=0 (transmission of the
radio signal is stopped) (step S258) and the process
returns to step S241.

[0302]

That is, when the internal flag F0=0 (transmission
of the radio signal is stopped) if the internal flag
F1=1, once the transmission of the musical signals is
started according to the operation of the "Replay"
switch until an operation of the switch about replay
stop is detected, musical signals each including a
predetermined unit amount of musical piece information
are sent until all the selected musical pieces are sent.
Furthermore, if the "Pause" switch is operated while
the musical signals are being sent, it is possible to
temporarily stop the transmission of the musical
signals while holding the internal flag F0=1 (radio
signal is sent). Then, when the internal flag F1=0,
the musical pieces independently replayed by the
portable audio terminal 3 are output from the speaker
(headphone) 137.

[0303]

Step S259 to step S261: Since an operation of the
switch about mode setting is detected in step S250, it
is judged whether the operation has set the
transmission switch to ON (step S259), and the state of
the internal flag F1 that indicates whether
transmission of the musical signals from the relevant
terminal is possible or not is set according to the
judgment (F1=1 when the relevant switch is ON: step
S260, F1=0 when the relevant switch is OFF: step S261).

[0304]

Step S262 to step S264: Since an operation of the
switch about mode setting is detected in step S250, it
is judged whether the operation has set the reception
switch to ON (step S262), and the state of the internal
flag F2 that indicates whether reception of the musical
signals from the audio unit 100A is possible or not is
set according to the judgment (F2=1 when the relevant
switch is ON: step S263, F2=0 when the relevant switch
is OFF: step S264).

[0305]

Step S265, step S266: When an operation of the
switch about audio characteristic setting is detected
in step S250, the setting states of the internal flags
F0 and F1 are judged and if F0=F1=1, the process goes
to step S268 and if F0=0, or F0=1 and F1=0, the process
returns to step S241.

[0306]

Step S267 to step S269: In order to realize a
desired sound field according to the operation of the
operated switch about the audio characteristic setting
and in order to realize a desired sound field according
to the setting information on the replay
characteristics such as sound quality, sound volume and
replay balance of the speaker units 2A to 2D of memory
(not shown) in the microcomputer 131, the setting
information on the replay characteristics such as sound
quality, sound volume and replay balance of the speaker
units 2A to 2D of memory (not shown) in the
microcomputer 131 is updated (step S267, step S268),
and the audio replay characteristic signal according to
the updated setting information is sent to each speaker
unit individually (step S269) and the process returns
to step S241.

[0307]

According to this embodiment described above, it
is possible to discard cables connecting the audio unit
100A and speaker units 2A to 2D and make mounting of
each component in the car cabin easier. This
eliminates the need for the designer of the vehicle to
consider the cabling locations or operability of
cabling, thus improving the degree of freedom of design.

[Third embodiment]

[0308]

Then, a third embodiment, which is based on the
audio apparatus for a vehicle according to the second
embodiment above, will be explained. In the following
explanations, overlapping explanations about the same
configurations as those in the second embodiment will
be omitted and explanations will be focused on
characteristic sections of this embodiment.

[0309]

In the speaker units shown in Fig. 15, this
embodiment groups, for example, the speaker units 2A
and 2B corresponding to the driver seat and assistant
seat and the speaker units 2C and 2D corresponding to
the right and left rear seats, and replays musical
pieces differing from one group to another. When such
grouping is set, it is possible to allow the passengers
to arbitrarily set a group including at least one
speaker unit from the operation switches 112 of the
audio unit 100A and from a predetermined display screen
(not shown) using the display 113.

[0310]

Furthermore, this embodiment'allows the passenger
to select a musical piece source or a musical piece to
be replayed for every group set by the passenger by
displaying the display screen illustrated in Fig. 23
for every group.

[0311]

Fig. 20 is a flow chart of music replay processing
in the audio unit 100A in the third embodiment, and
since the basic processing configuration is almost the
same as the flow chart in Fig. 17 described in the
second embodiment, the characteristic processing in
this embodiment will be explained.

[0312]

In this embodiment, the audio unit 100A needs to
send musical signals differing from one preset group to
another. Therefore, in this embodiment, when an
operation of the switch about audio replay is detected
in step S106 before a stop signal is sent to the
portable audio terminal 3 in step S108, a selected
musical piece is set for every preset group in step
S107 prior to setting the internal flag F to 1.

[0313]

Then, in step S110 and step S111, musical piece
information for every group is read from the audio
storage medium 115, etc., their respective musical
signals are created and those musical signals are sent
to each speaker unit that makes up each group by a
predetermined unit amount. At this time, the audio
unit 100A includes the identification information of
the group to which each speaker unit belongs in the
musical signal to be sent.

[0314]

Furthermore, when the audio replay characteristic
is allowed to be set for every group, it is possible to
send an audio replay characteristic signal according to
the setting in step S115 and step S116.

[0315]

Fig. 21 is a flow chart of music replay processing
in the speaker units 2A to 2D in the third embodiment,
and since the basic processing configuration is almost
the same as the flow chart in Fig. 18 described in the
second embodiment, the characteristic processing in
this embodiment will be explained.

[0316]

When a plurality of types of musical signals is
received in step S124, in step S125, the speaker units
2A to 2D perform processing of selecting musical
signals according to preset replay priority in the same
way as in the second embodiment and at the same time
selects a musical signal from among the received
musical signals, including the identification
information of the group to which the own unit belongs.

[0317]

Then, when it is not possible to receive musical
signals in step S126, it is necessary to select the
musical signal including the identification information
of the group to which the own speaker unit belongs from
among the musical signals received as a result of
requesting other speaker units for musical signals in
step S127. Or when another speaker unit of the group
to which the own speaker unit belongs can be recognized
by a plurality of musical signals received so far, it
is possible to directly request another speaker unit
that belongs to the same group to transfer the musical
signal.

[0318]

Fig. 22A and Fig. 22B are flow charts of music
replay processing in the portable audio terminal 3 in
the third embodiment, and since the basic processing
configuration is almost the same as the flow charts in
Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B described in the second
embodiment, the characteristic processing in this
embodiment will be explained.

[0319]

As in the case of the above-described audio unit
100A, the portable audio terminal 3 needs to send
musical signals differing from one preset group to
another in this embodiment. Therefore, when an
operation of the switch about audio replay is detected
in step S151 and the judgment result in step S152 is
the internal flag F1=1 (transmission of musical signals
from the relevant terminal is allowed), this embodiment
sets musical pieces selected for every preset group in
step S153 before a stop signal is sent to the audio
unit 100A in step S154.

[0320]

Then, in step S156 and step S159, musical piece
information for every group is read from the audio
storage medium 136, etc., their respective musical
signal are created and those musical signals are sent
to each speaker unit that makes up each group by a
predetermined unit amount. At this time, the portable
audio terminal 3 includes the identification
information of the group to which each speaker unit
belongs in the musical signal to be sent.

[0321]

Furthermore, when the audio replay characteristic
is allowed to be set for every group, as in the case of
the above-described audio unit 100A, it is possible to
send an audio replay characteristic signal according to
the setting in step S170 and step S171.

[0322]

This embodiment allows individual passengers to
listen to contents according to their preference in set
group units and is ideally applicable to a vehicle with
a large room such as a wagon car and bus.

[0323]

The second and third embodiments above describe
the audio unit 100A as a stationary type as shown in
Fig. 15, but the present invention is not limited to
such a system configuration. If the audio unit 100A is
implemented as a terminal that the passenger can carry
with him/her, that terminal can be carried into the
vehicle by the passenger, making it possible to
transfer musical signals to be replayed to a plurality
of speaker units via radio communication as described
above, eliminating a troublesome operation required in
the above stationary type audio unit 100A to secure
(transfer) musical piece information to the audio unit
100A before musical pieces are replayed, etc., thus
improving operability.

[0324]

The second and third embodiments above provide an
easy-to-mount audio apparatus for a vehicle, its
contents reproduction method and sound reproduction
apparatus.

[0325]

That is, the second and third embodiments above
can discard cables connecting the audio unit 100A and a
plurality of speaker units 2A to 2D and simplify
mounting in the vehicle. This eliminates the need for
the designer of the vehicle to consider cabling
locations, thus increasing the degree of freedom of
design.

[0326]

Furthermore, according to the third embodiment
above, the speaker units 2A to 2D are located in
accordance with the seats of the vehicle 300 and by
sending a radio signal including contents different
from those for the other speaker units to the speaker
unit corresponding to a specific seat, it is possible
to allow individual passengers to listen to contents
according to their preference.

[0327]

Furthermore, the second and third embodiments
above can reproduce contents with an optimal sound
field according to the locations of the speaker units
2A to 2D.

[0328]

Furthermore, the second and third embodiments
above can generate a pseudo-silenced state or output
sound stripped of a specific frequency component.

[0329]

Furthermore, the second and third embodiments
above allow the passenger seated on a specific seat to
drive the speaker unit corresponding to the seat in a
condition according to his/her preference, for example,
set the speaker unit to only output sound that will not
adversely affect the child in the case of a seat to
which a child seat is attached.

[0330]

Furthermore, in the second and third embodiments
above, the audio unit 100A is made portable and can be
carried into the vehicle, making it possible to
transfer contents to be replayed to a plurality of
speaker units via radio communication, eliminating a
troublesome operation to transfer contents to the
apparatus on the vehicle side, etc.

[0331]

Furthermore, when a radio signal is sent, the
second and third embodiments above send contents to be
sent through the radio signal by dividing the contents
by a predetermined unit amount of information to a
plurality of speaker units. This makes it possible to
efficiently send contents according to the time during
which the frequency band available to radio
communications can be occupied.

[0332]

Furthermore, according to the second and third
embodiments above, even if radio signals are sent from,
for example, a stationary unit in the car cabin and a
portable unit as the radio signals from the audio unit
100A, the same contents received from any one unit can
be reproduced by a plurality of speaker units.

[0333]

As many apparently widely different embodiments of
the present invention can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the
specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the
claims.